![Pinguicula moranesis glands [CC-BY-SA-3.0 Steve Cook]: microscopic stalked glands covering the leaf surface secrete mucilage](https://www.polypompholyx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Pinguicula_moranensis_glands-300x234.jpg)
A recent hike in Königssee to see Germany’s highest waterfall was a little underwhelming but the hydrological shortcomings were entirely forgotten when I spotted this beauty growing in a crevice above the lake: Butterworts are amongst my favourite carnivorous plants: their murderous ways are so delicately concealed. Who would suspect such a pretty bank of flowers to be a veritable morgue …
![Gore Vidal [Carl van Vechten 1948]](https://www.polypompholyx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gore_vidal_by_carl_van_vechten_1948-222x300.jpg)