Covering more than fifty species as well as hybrids and variants, this 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 through to setting seed. Drawing on the authors’ extensive field experience and the latest scientific research, Britain’s Orchids uses multiple techniques to help both beginner and more advanced orchid enthusiasts to identify even the trickiest plants. The book is beautifully illustrated with plates by talented artist Sarah Stribbling as well as more than 1,000 detailed, instructive and evocative photographs by the authors. 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 habitats, from remote mountaintops to urban wild spaces.
Features:
- The first book to cover all the species, subspecies and varieties, as well as hybrids, at all stages of development
- Lavishly illustrated with close to 100 stunning plates drawn to scale to show key identification features and more than 1,000 stunning photo showing orchids in their natural settings
- Simple, step-by-step system for identifying almost any orchid
- Up-to-date distribution maps and seasonal charts showing when each species can be seen in its various stages
- Special-feature identification keys that can be used on difficult plants
"[...] Although I have not had the book for long enough to do more than read and examine it, my conclusion is that it is just about a perfect rendition of the modern field guide: comprehensive, detailed, beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written. It is also excellent value. [...] I would unhesitatingly recommend this new book to anyone interested in our native orchids."
– Bob Gibbons, British Wildlife 32(3), December 2020
"This is pretty special [...] the photographs are absolutely outstanding and they're really useful photographs in terms of how you can identify the plant and explain its biology [...] I just love this book, I absolutely love it."
– Chris Packham, #WildMorningswithChris
"[...] What I really welcome is the images are brilliant coloured botanical drawings and photos so you get the best of both. [...] I recommend this very welcome addition to those oft-thumbed works that sit on my desk for easy reference."
– FatBirder blog