One in every seven flowering plants on earth is an orchid. Yet orchids retain an air of exotic mysteryand they remain remarkably misunderstood and underappreciated. The orchid family contains an astonishing array of colors, forms, and smells that captivate growers from all walks of life across the globe. Though undeniably elegant, the popular moth orchida grocery store standardis a bland stand-in when compared with its thousands of more complex and fascinating brethren, such as the Demon Queller, which grows in dark forests where its lovely blooms are believed to chase evil forces away. There is the Fetid Sun-God, an orchid that lures female flies to lay their eggs on its flowers by emitting a scent of rancid cheese. Or the rare, delicate Lizard Orchid, which mimics the appearance of lizards but smells distinctly of goat.
The Book of Orchidsrevels in the diversity and oddity of these beguiling plants. Six hundred of the worlds most intriguing orchids are displayed, along with life-size photographs that capture botanical detail, as well as information about distribution, peak flowering period, and each species unique attributes, both natural and cultural. With over 28,000 known speciesand more being discovered each yearthe orchid family is arguably the largest and most geographically widespread of the flowering plant families. Including the most up-to-date science and accessibly written by botanists Mark Chase, Maarten Christenhusz, and Tom Mirenda, each entry inThe Book of Orchidswill enticeresearchers and orchid enthusiasts alike.
With stunning full-color images,The Book of Orchidsis sure to become the go-to reference for these complex, alluring, and extraordinarily adaptable plants.
