Pocket Guide to the Orchids of Britain and Ireland

Description

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.

Simon Harrap is the author of Orchids of Britain and Ireland: A Field and Site Guide (Bloomsbury 2005, 2009). He is the author of several books including Harrap's Wild Flowers (2013), RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds (2007, 20012) and Where to Watch Britain and Ireland (2003, 2010), all published by Bloomsbury.

The 52 species are covered in good detail with plenty of information on identification, habitat and the current status of the plant. The photographs are superb and made me want to rush out straightaway and start hunting. I wish I had had this book to gloat over in early hunting days and would recommend it to all. * Wild Flower Magazine *