Julie MacLaughlin

July 30th, 2024

Plants, like people and animals, need to defend themselves. Though they can’t scream or run, many have developed unique and courageous methods to stay safe from bugs, animals and even crabs. Some plants can stab, poison, drown or suffocate their predators. For example, the corpse flower emits a foul odor resembling rotting wounds, garlic, cheese and sour sweat. The touch-me-not balsam explodes on contact. Julie MacLaughlin’s latest work, Plant Attack! The Fascinating Ways Flora Defend Themselves (Orca $21.95) explores 15 plants and their unique, sometimes bizarre, defensive strategies through elegant drawings, highlighting how they protect themselves from various threats, including humans. Written by Erin Silver. 9781459837973

Share on Facebook

Tweet