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The scent of scandal : greed, betrayal, and the world's most beautiful orchid / Craig Pittman ; foreword by Raymond Arsenault and Gary R. Mormino.
Van Pelt Library QK495.O64 P52 2012
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Pittman, Craig.
- Series:
- Florida history and culture series
- The Florida history and culture series
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Phragmipedium.
- Endangered plants--Peru.
- Endangered plants.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
- Kovach, Michael.
- Scandals--Florida--History--21st century.
- Scandals.
- Criminal investigation--Florida--History--21st century.
- Criminal investigation.
- Orchid industry--Florida--History--21st century.
- Orchid industry.
- Commerce.
- History.
- Florida--Commerce--History--21st century.
- Florida.
- Peru.
- Physical Description:
- xiv, 299 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Gainesville : University Press of Florida, [2012]
- Summary:
- The Phragmipedium kovachii orchid has triggered obsession among botanists, collectors, and black market traders since its 2002 discovery in Peru, with prices surging up to $10,000 for a single plant. When the orchid was found illegally hidden in a secret collection at Marie Selby's Botanical Garden in Sarasota, Florida, author Pittman, an environmental journalist, began covering the story for Florida newspaper the St. Petersburg Times. Here, he investigates the motivations and methods of botanists, orchid growers, collectors, smugglers, lawyers, and federal prosecutors behind the incident, drawing on interviews of those involved in the case. He also discusses the loopholes in international treaties controlling the trade in endangered wildlife. The book includes b&w photos of researchers, lawyers, and other key figures. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
- Contents:
- Cast of Characters
- Prologue: The Choice of Snakes
- The Most Beautiful Party in Town
- The Garden of Earthly Delights
- The Adventurer
- The Carpenter
- The Holy Grail
- The Rival
- The Race
- The Investigation
- The Last Condor
- The Law and the Loophole
- The Circular Firing Squad
- The Stories They Told
- The Judges
- The Hike from Hell
- The Courtroom Drama
- The Scarlet Letter
- The Final Showdown
- Epilogue: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made of.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 289-290) and index.
- ISBN:
- 0813039746
- 9780813039749
- OCLC:
- 748330850
- Publisher Number:
- 99948023661
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