Chapter 1
A global family of copycats
Chapter 2
The mechanics of a slip and slide
Chapter 3
The ultimate animal roommates
Chapter 4
Humans and the meat-eating plants
Ch 4 · Humans and the meat-eating plants
alicecooks Saving Wild Pitcher Plants
On the granite cliffs in the quiet rain, only a few wild pitchers still remain.
alicecooks Modern scientific studies confirm that extracts from Sarracenia purpurea prevent poxviruses from replicating, validating this traditional North American remedy.
alicecooks Obsessive Victorian collectors paid fortunes for exotic pitcher plants found in remote jungles.
Fun Fact
Smallpox remedy: Extracts from the purple pitcher plant were historically used by Native Americans to treat smallpox and successfully stop poxviruses.
Glossary
hoax (noun)
An act intended to deceive or trick others into believing something is true. In 1874, Edmund Spencer fabricated a famous story about a man-eating tree in Madagascar.
An act intended to deceive or trick others into believing something is true. In 1874, Edmund Spencer fabricated a famous story about a man-eating tree in Madagascar.
Quiz
According to modern research, how does Sarracenia purpurea extract affect poxviruses?
Quiz
Which deadly viral disease did the Micmac Native Americans treat using the purple pitcher plant?
Quiz
What was the name of the famous British nursery firm that sent collectors globally to acquire Nepenthes northiana?
Quiz
Which intrepid Victorian artist discovered and painted a rare Bornean pitcher plant that was later named after her?
Quiz
In which year did Charles Darwin publish his famous book 'Insectivorous Plants'?
Quiz
What sustainable method do modern nurseries use to grow rare pitcher plants without taking them from the wild?