Description
Book SynopsisOrchids have long held a fascination, both for keen botanists and
the general public. From the mania of Victorian collectors to the
enthusiasm of modern photographers, this family of flowering plants has
a strange and exotic appeal. Many orchids are beautiful, and some are
rare.
This well illustrated orchid guide covers the identification,
biology and conservation of British and Irish orchids. Until recently,
the whereabouts of the rarer species was shrouded in secrecy, making
publication of any details ethically impossible. In the last few years,
however, these veils have been lifted and it is now possible to publish
locations for all but one or two species. For the first time, this book
includes a detailed site guide, covering the best places to see orchids
in Britain.
A model field guide: good, large photographs that are actually
rather gorgeous; a clear text that tells you how to identify the plant
using the English language
Trade Review
This book is a comprehensive guide to Britain,s most glamorous plants. I cannot imagine being without it. * Chris Packham *
An essential guide for anyone on a quest to find our sexiest flowers. * BBC Wildlife *
The best guide to our orchids on the market, and quite possibly the best on any group of wild flowers and the pictures in particular are superb. * British Wildlife *
...an essential guide for anyone on a quest to find our sexiest flowers...an excellent field guide to orchids. * BBC Wildlife Magazine *
A model field guide: good, large photographs that are actually rather gorgeous; a clear text that tells you how to identify the plant using the English language rather than "botanicalese"; useful diagrams of those spectacular flower parts; and a really comprehensive section on geographical range and subspecies. * The Daily Telegraph *
Table of Contents
Introduction Orchid Biology Orchid Habitats Orchid Conservation Field Guide Notes on the species accounts Species Accounts Lady's-slipper Cypripedium calceolus Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra Sword-leaved Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia White Helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium Lesser Twayblade Neottia cordata Common Twayblade Neottia ovata Bird's-nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris Dark-red Helleborine Epipactis atrorubens Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine Violet Helleborine Epipactis purpurata Narrow-lipped Helleborine Epipactis leptochila Dune Helleborine Epipactis dunensis Lindisfarne Helleborine Epipactis sancta Green-flowered Helleborine Epipactis phyllanthes Ghost Orchid Epipogium aphyllum Fen Orchid Liparis loeselii Bog Orchid Hammarbya paludosa Coralroot Orchid Corallorhiza trifida Creeping Lady's-tresses Goodyera repens Irish Lady's-tresses Spiranthes romanzoffiana Autumn Lady's-tresses Spiranthes spiralis Summer Lady's-tresses Spiranthes aestivalis Musk Orchid Herminium monorchis Man Orchid Orchis anthropophora Monkey Orchid Orchis simia Military Orchid Orchis militaris Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula Small White Orchid Pseudorchis albida Lesser Butterfly Orchid Platanthera bifolia Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha Common Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea Heath Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia borealis Marsh Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia densiflora Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata Conten Frog Orchid Dactylorhiza viridis Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii Heath Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza maculata Southern Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa Pugsley's Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteinerioides Hebridean Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza ebudensis Northern Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza purpurella Irish Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza occidentalis Dense-flowered Orchid Neotinea maculata Burnt Orchid Neotinea ustulata Lizard Orchid Himantoglossum hircinum Loose-flowered Orchid Anacamptis laxiflora Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio Small-flowered Tongue Orchid Serapias parviflora Greater Tongue Orchid Serapias lingua Fly Orchid Ophrys insectifera Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera Late Spider Orchid Ophrys fuciflora Early Spider Orchid Ophrys sphegodes Other species Orchid family tree Map of vice-counties Orchid flowering periods Site Guide Introduction to the site accounts Useful addresses Botanical organisations Abbreviations Site Accounts Southeast England Southwest England and Channel Islands East Anglia Central England Northern England and Isle of Man Wales Scotland Ireland Glossary Sources of information and bibliography Index of species
