2009/12/01 by Michael F. Fay · 4 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Plant Diversity and Evolution #Plant Parasitism and Resistance #Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.01023.x
openalex publication_date 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Following on from the author's Pitcher Plants of the Americas (2006) and Glistening Carnivores (2008), these two volumes cover the Old World pitcher plants, the genera Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) and the monotypic south-western Australian endemic Cephalotus (Cephalotaceae). In keeping with the earlier volumes, this new work is lavishly illustrated with photographs, many of which were taken by the author during 18 months of intensive and challenging fieldwork over a three-year period. After introductory chapters introducing carnivorous plants in general, pitcher plants of the Old World, trapping processes and relationships with other organisms that coexist with pitcher plants rather than being consumed by them, the first volume contains species accounts for Nepenthes of Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia and Indochina. Species accounts for Nepenthes of the Philippines, Sumatra and Java, Sulawesi, New Guinea and the Maluku Islands, and outlying areas (Madagascar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, northern India, New Caledonia, northern Australia and some Micronesian islands) form the first part of volume two. This is followed by chapters on Nepenthes hybrids (natural and artificial), Cephalotus follicularis, habitat loss and other threats to pitcher plants and cultivation and horticulture. An appendix includes the description of a new species from Mindanao (Philippines), N. micramphora, an account of the discovery of N. attenboroughii (described by Robinson et al., 2009) and a taxonomic treatment of a small genus of spiders (Henriksenia) that live in Nepenthes pitchers. A glossary and an extensive bibliography conclude the second volume. The author states ‘I have prepared this two volume work to provide a visually rich overview of the biology, ecology, diversity, distribution and conservation status of Nepenthes and Cephalotus. This work is not intended as a botanical or taxonomic monograph’, and no in-depth treatment of infrageneric relationships and groupings is provided. However, this is really the only publication that deals with Nepenthes throughout its range, and the taxonomic works to which he refers the reader are, in contrast, all regional treatments. No other work provides the level of information given here for Nepenthes, with details of the original description, etymology, synonymy, hybrids (if any are known), distribution, habitat, habit and morphology. An informal assessment of the conservation status is also made where sufficient information is available. Photographs illustrating the habitat, habit and pitchers (including forms on different parts of the plant where appropriate) are provided for all species. Colour variants of the pitchers of many species are also illustrated. Cephalotus is treated in similar depth and, like Nepenthes, is sumptuously illustrated with approximately 30 photographs, line drawings, etc. The chapter on cultivation and horticulture provides historical information and up to date details on the conditions required to grow Nepenthes and Cephalotus successfully. The activities of several commercial nurseries specialising in carnivorous plants are showcased, and some other retailers offering Nepenthes and/or Cephalotus in Australia, England and the USA are listed. A strong sense of the author's fascination with these plants and a commitment to their conservation runs through both volumes, and a combination of habitat conservation, ex situ conservation measures and control of poaching is advocated. My concerns are only minor. The assessments of conservation status do not follow IUCN categories (IUCN, 2001), although the author does not claim that they do, and there is some confusion concerning the relationships between listing in the CITES appendices and threat of extinction. The ability of Nepenthes to catch vertebrates is probably overplayed. Although I am prepared to believe that this can happen occasionally, reports of regular trapping and digestion of rats etc. should probably be taken with a pinch of salt – fantastic stories relating the consumption of vertebrates (including humans!) go back to the 19th century and before (see Chase et al., 2009), and recent interchanges on websites also suggest that some more recent reports may also be embroidered, if not fabricated (e.g. Instructables, 2009). Finally, the index is a combined index for both volumes (at the end of the second volume, as is the case for many other works of more than one volume) and it is thus necessary to have both volumes on hand if you want to look up something in the first volume. These minor concerns aside, I recommend these volumes enthusiastically to carnivorous plant enthusiasts in particular and botanists in general. Full of interesting facts and wonderful illustrations, they are very good value for money. They will, I am sure, grace bookshelves and coffee tables for years to come and will provide an ongoing source of authoritative information on these fascinating plants.