Like dogs and cats, carnivorous plants can be fed and watered. They can be given scritches and baths in the sun. But are they capable of giving us love in return?
Until somebody breeds a talking Venus flytrap a la “Little Shop of Horrors,” we may never know the answer. But humans’ love for these plants is undeniable, as seen in the return of the Bay Area Carnivorous Plant Festival, billed by its organizers as the “largest carnivorous plant festival in the country.”
Taking place at St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, in Alameda, the plant-travaganza gathers thousands of flytraps, pitchers, sundews and other bug-devouring species for admiration and purchase. Their human handlers will be there, as well, coming from all across the U.S. to exhibit rare and expertly tended specimens.
There will be talks and demonstrations from growers, music and food (no tossing the plants any scraps, please) raffles and the sale of growing accessories. Children and parents alike can expect a day of wild education – perhaps culminating in taking home their own leafy guy or gal, to provide endless hours of meat-eating enjoyment this summer.
Details: Noon-5 p.m. June 13 at 1011 Chestnut St., Alameda; free, https://bacps.org