Book Review: Pitcher Plants: The Elegant Insect Traps

Pitcher Plants: The Elegant Insect Traps by Carol Lerner covers only Sarracenia (though it mentions Darlingtonia), and consists entirely of text and colored drawings/paintings. There are no photographs. Nearly half the book covers Sarracenia generally, while the other half covers pests - largely insects - that can damage Sarracenia.

Personally, I think the real merit of this book lies in the colored drawings, as it does not add much to what The Savage Garden or another general cultivation book has to say on the subject. (In fact, it doesn't even really breakdown the species of Sarracenia, but largely focuses on their insect pests).

If you like this style of drawing/painting, Pitcher Plants: The Elegant Insect Traps can be found for less than $3.00 on Amazon, so it's not an expensive investment, unlike some other books. But, honestly, the drawings/paintings are really the only reason to acquire this book.