“When you hang out with plant people, eventually they go over to the dark side and develop a taste for the immoral, illegal and subversive,” is how author Amy Stewart described the idea for her 2009 book “Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities.” She was one of the speakers at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show last month.
Stewart explained she had been traveling the world doing research for a previous book “Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers.” She described how growers would take her aside and whisper that they had a specimen to show her in a dark corner of a greenhouse. What followed was a "Wicked Plants" talk and slideshow that intrigued, informed and amused a curious audience eager to hear the dark side of the plant kingdom. After all, many of us know a lot about the bright side of gardens; plants that are scandalous, poisonous, cause misery and death, not so much.
Starting Thursday, April 7, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is bringing the book alive in its “Wicked Plants: Botanical Rogues & Assassins” exhibition. Over 30 wicked species in a deliciously Victorian murderous setting will be on display. They will be accompanied by facts and excerpts from Stewart’s book.
Running through October 30, 2011, the exhibition of botanical rogues (cashews, really?) is open Tuesdays – Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is included with admission to the Conservatory. Admission for San Francisco residents is $5 general, $3 youth 12-17, seniors and students with ID: $1.50.
Here are a few more opportunities to hear Amy Stewart speak about the toxins and poisons in the plant world around us. She entranced the audience at the SF Flower & Garden Show with her slide show, anecdotes and wry humor. Her photos of the gated Poison Garden she visited at Alnwick Castle in England was especially fascinating as the castle was the film setting for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities"
Date: Friday, April 8, 2011
Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Place: Filoli, Woodside
Admission: $30 general public / $25 for Filoli members
Amy Stewart at Annie's Annuals Amazing Spring Party
Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Annie's Annuals, Richmond
Admission: Free
Wicked Plants: An Evening with Amy Stewart
Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Admission: $10 general public/ $7 for COF members
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