Barry A. Rice is an expert horticulturist who has been growing these bizarre plants since 1985 and has produced many noteworthy carnivorous plant cultivars. He is the editor of Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, the publication of the International Carnivorous Plant Society, and is also that organization's Director of Conservation Programs. Fascinated most by observing carnivorous plants in the wild, he has traveled throughout the USA to see and photograph them in their native habitat. He currently works for The Nature Conservancy.

For centuries, carnivorous plants have carried an air of fascination and mystique unparalleled in the plant world. "Growing Carnivorous Plants" is a comprehensive guide to identifying and cultivating these remarkable plants. From the well-known Venus flytrap to obscure African sundews, from the giant pitcher plant vines of Borneo the microscopic bladderworts of Florida, more than 200 species, hybrids and cultivars from all genera of carnivorous plants are described. Included are explanations of the fascinating and diverse mechanisms the plants use to trap their victims. Imitating a plant's natural environment is the key to success in growing carnivorous plants, and this book will help readers select the best plants to grow on a windowsill, in a terrarium or greenhouse. Information on how to feed carnivorous plants will enable even the most squeamish grower to ensure that plants receive the nutrients they require. The book's 400 photographs include both spectacular images from the wild and lovely plants in cultivation.