The University Record, July 3, 2000
Bees and bugs, beware of the bog!
Rodger Keller, senior
horticultural assistant at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, holds the
flower of a monkey cup (Nepenphes bicalcarata), a carnivorous plant that
catches bees and wasps. The left inset above shows a pitcher plant
(Sarracemia sp.), the flower of which Keller opened in the right inset to
show its internal structure. The carnivorous plants—ones that
attract and devour insects and an occasional small rodent—are all
ones that live in the new, living bog area in the warm temperate room at
the Gardens’ conservatory. The living bog is one of the most popular
displays and is being replicated by faculty from another university. An
entire class can gather round and touch the plants as they learn about
bladderworts, buttercups and Venus fly traps. Photos by Marcia L.
Ledford, U-M Photo Services
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