The orchid family is one of the largest plant families in the world, reaching its highest diversity in the tropics where their exotic and colourful flowers are often truly breathtaking. Britain and Ireland have just 52 species of wild orchid, some of which are rare or scarce, whilst others are surprisingly inconspicuous. Yet, whether large or small, all orchids share flamboyant flower structures and incredible beauty.
This pocket guide allows the identification of all species of orchid in the British Isles. It has concise text highlighting ID criteria as well as notes on biology, habitat and conservation, along with stunning colour photographs and accurate range maps based on maps compiled by the Biological Record Centre.
This book provides the perfect guide to these beautiful and evocative plants, and is a must for any field naturalist.
Author(s): Simon Harrap
Series: Bloomsbury Naturalist
Edition: 1
Publisher: Bloomsbury Natural History
Year: 2016
Language: English
Pages: 552
Cover
Half-title
Title
Copyright
Contents
Introduction
Why this book?
What is an Orchid?
Orchids & Fungi
Orchid Seeds
Pollination
Orchid Conservation
Notes on the Species Accounts
Species Accounts
Lady’s Slipper
White Helleborine
Sword-leaved Helleborine
Red Helleborine
Introduction to the genus
Helleborine identification summary
Marsh Helleborine
Dark-red Helleborine
Violet Helleborine
Broad-leaved Helleborine
Narrow-lipped Helleborine
Dune Helleborine
Lindisfarne Helleborine
Green-flowered Helleborine
Common Twayblade
Lesser Twayblade
Birdsnest Orchid
Ghost Orchid
Fen Orchid
Bog Orchid
Coralroot Orchid
Autumn Lady’s-tresses
Irish Lady’s-tresses
Creeping Lady’s-tresses
Musk Orchid
Greater Butterfly Orchid
Lesser Butterfly Orchid
Small White Orchid
Chalk Fragrant Orchid
Marsh Fragrant Orchid
Heath Fragrant Orchid
Identification of fragrant orchids
Frog Orchid
Spotted and marsh orchids: the genus
Spotted and marsh orchids identification summary
Common Spotted Orchid
Heath Spotted Orchid
Early Marsh Orchid
Southern Marsh Orchid
Northern Marsh Orchid
Pugsley’s Marsh Orchid
Hebridean Marsh Orchid
Irish Marsh Orchid
Early Purple Orchid
Lady Orchid
Military Orchid
Monkey Orchid
Man Orchid
Burnt Orchid
Dense-flowered Orchid
Pyramidal Orchid
Green-winged Orchid
Lizard Orchid
Fly Orchid
Early Spider Orchid
Bee Orchid
Late Spider Orchid
Additional Species
Glossary
Index of Species