Water frog and purple pitcher plant
c.1722-6RCIN 926021
In common with other naturalists of his day, Catesby was not aware that the pitcher plant was carnivorous. Instead he thought that it provided what he called a ‘secure Retreat’ for insects from predators such as the frog shown here. It was later discovered that the plant holds a reservoir of rainwater and digestive enzymes which enables it to consume insects and spiders.