Britain's Orchids: A Field Guide to the Orchids of Great Britain and Ireland

by Sean Cole, Mike Waller

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691177618
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	11/03/2020
Series:	WILDGuides , #28
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.87(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

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 speciality, the Ghost Orchid. Mike Waller is an ecologist and botanist who specialises 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. Twitter @Britainsorchids Instagram @britains_orchids_book

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 6

Preface 7

Using this book 8

What is an orchid? 12

Photosynthesis and the relationship with fungi 12

Orchid structure 13

Pollination strategies and seed dispersal 16

Growth strategies and longevity 17

Glossary 10

Orchid taxonomy 18

Habitats 24

Finding orchids 35

Photography and recording 37

When flowering 36

Annual growth cycle 38

Orchids in their habitats 40

Identifying orchids 51

Identifying orchids in leaf 52

Guide to British and Irish orchids in leaf when mature 54

Identifying orchids in bud 76

Identifying orchids in flower 80

The Species Accounts (see over) 101

Orchid hybrids 248

Cephalanthera helleborine hybrids 250

Epipactis helleborine hybrids 250

Butterfly-orchid hybrids 253

Fragrant-orchid hybrids 254

Small-white Orchid hybrids 260

Dactylorhiza orchid hybrids 261

Orchis orchid hybrids 270

Ophrys orchid hybrids 272

Extinct and adventive species 274

Threats and conservation 278

List of British and Irish orchids 282

Artwork and photographic credits 284

References 285

Sources of further information 286

Index 287

Editorial Reviews

"This is the future of field guides . . . I just love this book, I absolutely love it."---Chris Packham, #WildMorningswithChris

"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 Magazine

"The most startling and richest identification guide I have ever come across. . . . Every single time I pick up this book, I gawp and I learn. Field guide of the year, without question. And quite possibly field guide of the decade too."---James Lowen, James Lowen Wildlife

"This book distinguishes itself in the depth of attention it gives to orchid habitats . . . . The illustrations in the book are quite simply, out of this world superb. . . . This book takes a bold step in a new direction, a leap away from simple listing and describing, to being an efficient and user-friendly tool in the hands of the orchid enthusiast on the quest for accurate identification."---Paddy Tobin, An Irish Gardener

"What I really welcome is the images are brilliant coloured botanical drawings and photos so you get the best of both. A really nice feature is a brief index in a fold of the cover just pointing the species pages. I recommend this very welcome addition to those oft-thumbed works that sit on my desk for easy reference."---Bo Beolens, Fat Birder

"This authoritative yet accessible guide is the result of many years' hard work from the authors. The multitude of information loaded into its texts are complimented by top-class illustrations and stunning photography. It is the new essential in its field and congratulations must go to Cole and Waller for producing what deserves to become a best-selling guide to this fascinating family."---Josh Jones, Birdguides.com

"This book is the perfect guide for looking for and identifying them, it has everything you could ever need to know about British Orchids."---Mike King, Gloster Birder

"A clear, comprehensive, well-designed, beautifully illustrated guide to a fascinating group of our wild flowers."---Mark Avery, Mark Avery blog

"This is another outstanding guide from Wild Guides (this time published in association with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland) but this one is at another level and is a credit to everyone involved and should be on every naturalist’s bookshelf."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalist’s Association

"The mission statement from authors Sean Cole and Mike Waller to develop the most beautiful and comprehensive field guide on the subject has clearly been achieved!"---Jim Almond, Shropshire Birder blog

"This book is an exceptional contribution to the literature on British orchid identification."---Ro Scott, Highland Naturalist

"A superb new identification guide."---Eric Brown, News Shopper

"This is clearly a fantastic book."---Andy Karran, Gwent Wildlife Trust

From the Publisher