From Library Journal
A family of carnivorous North American pitcher plants that grows wild in the Southeastern United States, the colorful and striking Sarracenia thrives in nutrient-poor areas, especially near bogs and swamps, and is also surprisingly cold-hardy. Thus, Sarracenia offers gardeners an unusual alternative. In this unique work, Romanowski, an Australian biologist and commercial grower of aquatic plants, first introduces the history, habitat, and function of Sarracenia, covering such topics as how the plants attract and capture insects, pollination and germination, and efforts at conservation in the wild. He then presents the ten major taxa, with thorough descriptions of each. Part 2 covers the plants' cultivation, including nutritional needs, pests and problems (which are relatively few), propagation techniques, and constructing a bog garden. These plants are easy to hybridize, a process covered here in detail. Part 3 discusses the value of the plants as cut flowers and provides valuable advice for establishing a business. Illustrated with 79 beautiful color photographs, the book also includes a list of worldwide carnivorous plant societies. Recommended for both public and academic libraries. Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
North American pitcher plants are some of the most fascinating and least understood members of the plant kingdom. Notable for their dramatic coloration, prominent structure, and unique behavior, Sarracenia efficiently pull double duty in the garden by devouring massive numbers of insect pests such as wasps, flies, and ants. Although typically relegated to the realm of hothouse novelties, Sarracenia are remarkably cold-tolerant, making them eminently suitable for use in the garden in many parts of the world, yet few gardeners are cognizant of the plant's versatility. In an effort to increase awareness of and appreciation for these extravagant exotics, Romanowski has produced an extensive guide to their history, ecology, use, and culture, deftly merging academic facts with practical information complemented by brilliant color photos, which capture the kaleidoscopic patterns and lustrous rainbow hues of this biologically adept species. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From the Publisher
Native to the swamplands of the southeastern United States, the North American pitcher plants (Sarracenia) are among the world's most spectacular carnivorous plants, and also the easiest to grow in temperate climates. Although they have long been confused with unrelated tropical Nepenthes pitchers, gardeners are learning that many of these hardy plants will thrive in the open year-round, from parts of southern Canada to the cooler subtropics. Sarracenia grow best in the open garden and usually show their most vivid colors in full sun.
Gardening with Carnivores is the first complete guide to these ornamental plants, from natural history to hybridization, and from creating a bog garden to using the pitchers as long-lasting cut "flowers." The book combines both practical and academic information to provide new insights into the biology and evolution of this dynamically changing group. Nearly 80 photographs capture the photogenic nature of this plant group, and all species and many hybrids are showcased in their richest colors.
In the wild, most stands of these species have disappeared, mostly through drainage of wetlands but also through poaching and cutting for the florist trade. To ease some of the many pressures on the wild populations, commercial growers--from collectors and florists to aquaculturists--are considering raising many species and hybrids for cut pitchers. The final chapter describes how to produce these exotic-looking yet readily raised pitchers for sale.
About the Author
Nick Romanowski is a biologist and also a commercial grower of aquatic and water's edge plants, maintaining one of the world's most diverse wetlands collections in his southern Australian nursery, Dragonfly Aquatics. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the propagation and identification of aquatic plants, on wetland creation and planting, and on aquaculture.
