Weird Plants

For the first time, this extraordinary compilation showcases weird, mysterious and bizarre plants from around the world. Plants trick, kill, steal and kidnap, and this unique book explores a fascinating world in which plants have turned the tables on animals. Author Chris Thorogood showcases these plant behaviours, the interrelationships among plants, the interdependencies between plants and animals, and the intrigue of plant evolution. All types of weird and sinister are featured in this book, from carnivorous plants that drug, drown and consume unsuspecting insect prey; giant pitcher plants that have evolved toilets for tree shrews; flowers that mimic rotting flesh to attract pollinating flies, and orchids that duplicitously look, feel and even smell like a female insect to bamboozle sex-crazed male bees.

Have you ever seen a carnivorous plant? Plants are everywhere, but some are stranger than others. Journey from the tops of trees to under the sea to discover some of the most perplexing plants around.

"Examines meat-eating plants, including the different types of carnivorous plants, how they trap their prey, why these plants eat meat, and where they are found"--

Learn about the strangest and oddest natural plants on earth—the world's tiniest plant to the world's biggest and heaviest flower, plants that grow in air, plants that eat insects…and many more.

Discover the weird science behind the ickiest, wackiest, mostunusual things ever to exist! Would you like to make your own slime, discover how lava lampswork, or learn how materials decompose? Have you ever heard about ball lightning or the Aurora Borealis onthe news and wondered what the reporter was talking about? Are you looking for great ideas for your next science fairproject? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Weird Scienceis for you! From banana slugs and dry ice to optical illusions andtime travel, you'll investigate some of the most bizarre scientificoddities on Earth. Dozens of fun-packed activities help you see foryourself how quicksand really works, why our feet sometimes getsmelly, how worm holes and black holes are formed, why insects canwalk on water, and much more. You'll even see how you can turnthese amazing activities into science projects! Each experiment issafe and easy to do, and all you need is everyday stuff from aroundthe house. So get ready to take a strange, creepy, and sometimeseven gross journey through Weird Science!

Gardeners love tulips, lilies, and pansies—the common, but beautiful, plants found in the average garden. But there are realms in the plant world far beyond these familiar favorites. In Bizarre Botanicals, plant experts Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross take readers on a curious botanical journey of weirdly wonderful plants that can be grown at home. Bizarre Botanicals features over 75 astonishing plants that have extraordinary abilities—from pyrotechnic spores that can burst into flame when ignited to flowers that lure insects to their deaths. Each plant profile includes essential care and cultivation information. A difficulty scale alerts gardeners to how easy (or difficult) it is to grow the plant at home. There’s no reason to forsake lilies and petunias. But after reading Bizarre Botanicals, gardeners will want to take a walk on the weird side and try a few of these peculiar plants for themselves.

Enjoy more than 100 extraordinary stories of unusual species, behaviors, and objects all told by author Ben Hoare. Why do Mexican jumping beans jump? How do sea cucumbers defend themselves? What causes the northern lights? This book is filled with facts about the most surprising and curious plants, animals, rocks, and phenomena in nature. Children aged 7-9 can read stories of more than one hundred unique animals, plants and phenomena and learn about the weird and wonderful side of the natural world. Weird and Wonderful Nature is the third installment of the DK Treasure’s series, exploring the many bizarre animals and plants that are uniquely adapted to their way of life. This fascinating nature book for kids offers: - Facts from a range of topics, from animals to plants and rocks to natural phenomena, that are guaranteed to wow adults and children alike. - Large photographs that show each species or item in incredible detail, with diagrams help to support understanding. - A gold foil cover and beautiful illustrations, making this book an ideal gift for young nature lovers. In Weird and Wonderful Nature, Ben Hoare’s friendly, informative explanations are paired with photographs and charming illustrations to make sure every page captivates the imagination, while a glossary and index help to navigate the chapters. The third title by best selling author Ben Hoare, after Nature’s Treasures and The Secret World of Plants, this is the ideal gift book series that will be treasured for years to come. More in the Series Weird and Wonderful Nature is part of DK’s Treasure’s series. Complete the series and inspire your child's curiosity in natural world with Nature’s Treasures, or bring out their inner botanist with The Secret World of Plants.

These early works by various authors were originally published in the late 19th century and early 20th century and we are now republishing them with a brand new introduction as part of our Cryptofiction Classics series. 'Weird Tales of Creepy Crawlies' contains a collection of short stories about mysterious insects and arachnids, and includes 'The Strong Spider' by Edgar Allan Poe (1846), 'The Messenger' by Robert W. Chambers (1897), 'The Empire of the Ants' by by H. G. Wells (1905), and many more. The stories in this collection were mostly written around the turn of the century. And most of them reflect what has been a pretty consistent human reaction to insects, as evidenced throughout the literary tradition – fascination and disgust, in equal measure. Despite the Romantics' best efforts, the perception of insects as repulsive, threatening and unclean – the carriers of pestilence and plague in the bible; the exemplifiers of foulness in Shakespeare – has never quite gone away. The Cryptofiction Classics series contains a collection of wonderful stories from some of the greatest authors in the genre, including Ambrose Bierce, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Jack London. From its roots in cryptozoology, this genre features bizarre, fantastical, and often terrifying tales of mythical and legendary creatures. Whether it be giant spiders, werewolves, lake monsters, or dinosaurs, the Cryptofiction Classics series offers a fantastic introduction to the world of weird creatures in fiction.