Dedicated to those working to study and protect the plants of the world
CONTENTS 4 INT RODUCTION BEWARE THE KILLER PLANTS CHAPTER 1 STINGING TREE 6 CHAPTER 2 THE ANTS RUSH OUT CHAPTER 3 A DEADLY SQUEEZE CHAPTER 4 SLIPPERY PIT OF DOOM CHAPTER 5 STINKING DECEPTION 22 CHAPTER 6 THE BIRD CATCHER 28 CHAPTER 7 ATTACK OF THE VAMPIRE VINE CHAPTER 8 CREEPING CLIMBING INVADER CONCLUSION THE QUEST FOR SURVIVAL 40 36 32 10 14 18 Author’s Note 42 Source Notes 43 Glossary 44 Selected Bibliography 46 More to Explore 46 Index 48
INTRODUCTION Beware the Killer Plants
In 1581 an explorer warned of an island in the South Pacific known only as the Island of Death On this island grew the Death Flower The large beautiful flower formed a cave that a person could enter Once inside the flower’s strange perfume lulled its visitor to sleep Then the flower folded its petals tight and devoured the sleeping victim Over the years other explorers told tales of deadly plants they had encountered A naturalist named Dunstan relayed the terrifying story of a vampire vine in Nicaragua While Dunstan and his dog were exploring a swamp the dog let out a high-pitched squeal and Dunstan found the animal wrapped in ropelike vines The dog struggled and whined as if in great pain Dunstan hacked at the vine with his knife and with great difficulty freed the animal To his horror as he sliced at the vines they curled around his arms like living fingers and left his skin red and blistered Does the idea of killer plants send a chill down your spine If so you’re not alone These plants make for thrilling tales but you might not want them growing in your neighborhood Fortunately the plants in these old An image of a murderous tree from Sea and Land by J W Buel The 1889 book told fantastic tales of blood thirsty plants and other wonderful and curious things of nature explorer’s tales aren’t real Scientists know beyond a doubt flowers don’t devour people Vampire vines don’t attack and strangle dogs But are there flowers that lure animals for their own dark purposes Vines that suck the juices from their fellow creatures Plants that cause terrible pain or even death Definitely Plants can be murderers kidnappers or just monstrously misbehaved Come take a walk on the dark side of the plant world But tread carefully It’s a jungle out there 5
