Carnivorous Plants Books

Today I received 6 books by Stewart McPherson, published by Redfern Natural History Productions, of Dorset, England. They deal with the carnivorous plants of the World and are must have titles for those interested in carnivorous plants. They are:

1 & 2) Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats (2 volumes). 2010. Hardbound: 1442 pages total. Price: 34.99 GBP each (about $54.44 U.S. each plus shipping).
SUMMARY: Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats comprises 1,441 pages and includes 799 images. Six years in the making, this work profiles the distribution, botanical history, morphology, diversity, ecology, traditional uses, associated life, cultivation requirements and conservation status of all recognised carnivorous plant genera of the world.

3 & 4) Pitcher Plants of the Old World (2 volumes). 2009. Hardbound: 1399 pages. Price: 34.99 GBP each (about $54.44 U.S. each plus shipping).

SUMMARY: Pitcher plants include the largest and most spectacular of all carnivorous plants. So-called because they produce highly specialised foliage that takes the form of hollow, water-filled “pitchers”, these extraordinary plants lure and prey upon arthropods and other small animals. The pitcher plants of the Old World also trap the largest prey of all carnivorous plants, including on rare occasions, vertebrates as large as frogs, mice and even rats. This two volume work examines both genera of Old World pitcher plants (Nepenthes and Cephalotus) and documents the ecology and natural diversity of every known species for the first time and in unparalleled detail.

      This 1399 page work contains 751 spectacular images. 120 species of Nepenthes, plus 5 incompletely

diagnosed taxa are recognised, along with Cephalotus follicularis.

5) Glistening Carnivores: The Sticky-Leaved Insect-Eating Plants. 2008. Hardbound: 392 pages. Price: 29.99 GBP (about $46.66 U.S. plus shipping).

SUMMARY: The seven genera of sticky-leaved insect-eating plants are uniquely beautiful and captivate the interest of all who behold them. Each produces shimmering leaves lined with glistening droplets of glue that attract, trap and kill insects and other small animals. Complimented by 279 spectacular images, this work examines all seven genera of sticky-leaved insect-eating plants (Byblis, Drosera, Drosophyllum, Ibicella, Pinguicula, Roridula and Triphyophyllum) and documents their wild ecology and natural diversity in full detail and in many cases, for the very first time.

6) Lost Worlds of the Guiana Highlands. 2008. Hardbound: 388 pages. Price: 29.99 GBP (about $46.66 U.S. plus shipping).

SUMMARY:  The tablelands of the Guiana Highlands are among the most spectacular yet least explored mountains of our world. Each is an immense sandstone plateau known locally as a ‘tepui’ that is encircled on all sides by gigantic vertical cliffs up to 1,000 metres tall. The summits of these unique mountains have remained isolated for millions of years, and today harbour plants, animals and landscapes that occur nowhere else on Earth. This work examines the story of the discovery and exploration of these remarkable mountains and considers the unique plants, animals and landscapes atop of these mysterious lost worlds.

You can visit their website here: http://www.redfernnaturalhistory.com/

                                            

Carnivorous Plants and Their Habitats: v. 1Carnivorous Plants and Their Habitats: v. 2  Pitcher Plants of the Old World: v. 1Pitcher Plants of the Old World: v. 2