Orchids 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.


The time is ripe for a new, well illustrated orchid guide, covering
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 rather than "botanicalese"; useful diagrams
of those spectacular flower parts; and a really comprehensive section
on geographical range and subspecies." The Daily Telegraph