Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids Author:Alec Pridgeon This large and beautiful volume is aimed at a broad audience, from the flower lover with a casual interest in orchids to the committed enthusiast and professional. It encompasses a wide spectrum of orchid genera, and over 1,100 species and hybrids commonly in cultivation. The text, written by acknowledged experts of international renown, is auth... more »oritative but accessible to the beginner. Lavish full-color photographs, drawn from international sources, enable non-specialists to identify orchids in collections or in the field with ease. The introductory section features a number of pertinent topics which guide the reader to an understanding of these wonderful flowers: orchid habitats, distribution, classification, hybrids, pollination, cultivation, and conservation. The alphabetical "Orchids A-Z" section includes descriptions, taxonomy, currently accepted names and synonyms, geographic distribution, notes on culture, and hundreds of color photographs of the best-known species in cultivation.« less