BOTANICAL INDEX
The plants found in A BOTANIST'S GUIDE TO PARTIES AND POISONS in chronological order.
PINGUICULA, BUTTERWORT
A carnivorous plant genus known for its sticky leaves which trap and digest insects. They grow in Europe, the Americas, and northern Asia.
ARECACEAE, PALM
Arecaceae is a family known widely for their evergreen leaves, called fronds, which instantly bring to mind the tropical environs they inhabit.
AMORPHOPHALLUS TITANUM, TITAN ARUM
Yes, it is spelled incorrectly in the first edition. My apologies.
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This world-famous plant is known for its horrendous smell which gave it its nickname, the corpse flower, though its single, towering flower is also attention-grabbing. It originates in Sumatra in western Indonesia.
SOLANDRA XOLOTUM, THE XOLOTL VINE
A violently yellow-green vine discovered originally in the forests of southern Mexico named for the Aztec god of lightning and death.
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This creation is not one of Mother Nature's, but one of Kate Khavari's. It doesn't exist, though the solandra genus is in the nightshade family and therefore known to be dangerous.
HOULLETIA TIGRINA, ORCHID
Fragrant epiphyte species of orchid found in Central American wet forests.
ZIZIPHUS
Genus of thorny shrubs in the buckthorn family. They produce edible fruits protected by layers of thorns.
PHILODENDRON
A large genus of plants which are frequently found in rain forests and similarly damp locations. They are known for their large leaves and diverse growth habits.
POLYPODIUM ONOLEPIS, FERN
A species of fern endemic to Ecuador. Saffron says as much. Common polypodium is pictured.
SANSEVIERIA
A genus commonly known by its species' nicknames, snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue, and devil's tongue. The tall, vertically growing leaves are easily recognizable though plants from this genus are widely spread.
DRACULA SIMIA
An epiphytic orchid whose petals seem to form a face.
VICTORIA AMAZONICA
The largest of the water lily family, this flowering plant's flower can reach up to 16 feet in width and has a stalk up to 26 feet long. In the midst 17th century, when the plant was first introduced in England, there was a duel of sorts between two dukes, the Victorian 'Gardeners,' to see who might bring the plant to flower first. The successful duke gave the flower to Queen Victoria, and it was named in her honor.
CARNEGIEA GIGANTEA, SAGUARO CACTUS
A tree-like cactus that can grow up to forty feet tall and live 150 years. Its scientific name honors Andrew Carnegie, whose support helped to establish the Desert Botanical Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona,
ACONITUM
This flowering plant genus goes by many names: aconite, monkshood, wolf's-bane, leopard's bane, mousebane, women's bane, devil's helmet, queen of poisons, and blue rocket. They grow in mountainous parts of the Northern Hemisphere and are dangerously poisonous thanks to the chemical aconitine.
HEDYCHIUM
A genus in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to Asia. The genus is named hedys, meaning "sweet" and chios, meaning "snow".
CLEMATIS REPENS
A unique flowering plant with pendulous hanging yellow flowers. So rare that a botanical illustration was not available.
CUPRESSUS, CYPRESS TREE
Tall, evergreen trees known for a conical shape. A symbol of grief in some cultures.
CARAGANA ARBORESCENS, WEEPING PEA SHRUB
A small tree with numerous edible parts.
BUXUS, BOXWOOD
A genus of shrubs and small trees used frequently as hedges and ornamentals.
RHODODENDRON
A large genus of flowering plants that includes azaleas. Known and grown for their large, colorful flowers. Beware thorns in some species.
JUNIPERUS CHINENSIS, CHINESE JUNIPER
A popular and tough ornamental tree of the cypress family.
CALADIUM
A genus known by the common name elephant's ear, so called for the size and shape of their potentially enormous leaves. Found in tropical environs and some species grow leaves between six and eighteen inches long.
STRYCHNOS NUX-VOMICA, STRYCHNINE TREE
A medium-size tree native to India and to southeast Asia. It produces an apple-sized fruit that contains large seeds. The seeds contain strychnine, a dangerous poison, but the bark and flowers
ROSA, ROSE
A well-loved genus of flowering shrubs prized for their colors and scents. Unfortunately, none are native to the Amazon.
