An accessible, comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide--the
only one to cover all the orchids found in Britain and Ireland
Covering all fifty-one native species and twelve of uncertain origin, as
well as hybrids and variants, Britain's Orchids is an engaging,
intuitive and in-depth identification guide to all the orchids of
Britain and Ireland at all stages of development, from first emergence
to setting seed. Drawing on the authors' extensive field experience and
the latest scientific research, the book uses multiple techniques to
help both beginner and more advanced orchid enthusiasts to identify even
the most difficult plants. It is beautifully illustrated with
watercolour paintings by talented artist Sarah Stribbling, and features
more than 1,200 evocative, instructive and detailed photographs. Orchids
have long fired the imagination with their beauty and rarity. This book
aims to ignite or increase your passion for these special plants, and
for the conservation of their varied habitats--from remote mountaintops
to urban wild spaces.
- The first book to cover all the species at all stages of development,
as well as all subspecies, varieties and confirmed hybrids
- Lavishly illustrated with 98 beautiful watercolour plates
- More than 1,200 stunning photos showing the orchids in their natural
settings and highlighting key identification features
- Simple, step-by-step system for identifying almost any orchid you
encounter
- Up-to-date distribution maps and seasonal charts showing when each
species can be seen in its various stages of development
Sean Cole is a field naturalist who has been studying orchids for
more than twenty years, with special interests in identification,
taxonomy and pollination. He has published many articles on British
orchids, including his specialty, the Ghost Orchid. Mike Waller is
an ecologist and botanist who specializes in European orchids. He has
worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Natural
History Museum in London, the London Wildlife Trust and Plantlife.
