One in every seven flowering plants on earth is an orchid. Yet orchids
retain an air of exotic mystery--and 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 orchid--a grocery store standard--is 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 Orchids revels in the diversity and oddity of these
beguiling plants. Six hundred of the world's 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 species--and more being discovered each year--the
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 in The Book of Orchids will entice
researchers and orchid enthusiasts alike.
With stunning full-color images, The Book of Orchids is sure to become
the go-to reference for these complex, alluring, and extraordinarily
adaptable plants.
