Table Of Content839
BOOK REVIEWS
history of the known populations and their current status. Both books treat the genera Dactylovhiza
and
and Epipactis in great detail and make every effort to sort out the species, subspecies, varieties-
no simple not surprismg that the bibliography and glossary arc similar in each work.
task! is
It
much same information what does one book have that the
Given both books cover of the
that
other does not?
@
@
Harrap £29.99
and £45
Clarke
Foley
covers 56 species
covers 55 species
information seeking the
more information extensive specific for
extensive historical
chapter on orchid taxonomy orchids (44 page site guide to 330-f places to
superior
orchids)
see
checklist of species
maps
authors names with the species easier to read distribution
chart each species showing decline over the
photographic hints for
and genera years
keys the genera species of selected
to
chapters by guest authors on cultivation and convenient field guide format
growth pattern graphics of several genera
conservation
Oph
comparative plate of the bee orchids, rys, of
Europe
forma-color and growth forms and both are guilty of
Both books use the term variety the sense of
is
term A albino plant has no coloring other than white-stems, leaves,
the misuse of the albino. true
name Although
What meant whirc-flowercd form often with the albiflora.
and usually
flowers. is is
means
and Clarke by no
the only publication of the two with keys for identification, Foley is a
it IS
field guide and the size limits its use as such. Having a copy of both books would be ideal. Use the
Harraps in the field and then when returning home consult Foley and Cku-ke for confirming or addi-
many
The photographs both hooks are excellent, but in Foley and Clarke of
tional information. in
images were sharp but they were en-
images have blurred. certain the original
the full-page feel
1
beyond The only noticeable errors found in Foley and Clarke. The first,
larged just a bit their limits.
1
simply information taken from an old source: that of Spi ranthes
under Spiranthes romanzofjiana w^as
{x]slci<^cri being a hybrid between 5. wmanzojjiana and 5. ccrniia- It is not been viewed as such for
synonym S.ochrokuca. Information under Pseudorchis
over 25 years. Spiranthes {x\stcigcri is a for
The
albida stating that occurs in North America from the east to Alaska is incorrect. species, as P.
it
Quebec on
Newfoundland and western the
northwestern a single site in
slraminca, restricted to
is
Hudson's Both could have been easily found in Flora ojNorth America.
shore of Bay. facts
none
Biographical information given for both Foley and Clarke and their guest authors but
is
the Harraps. k would have been nice to know a bit about them and their other work. All iour
for
primary authors should be congratulated on their work as these two books are a major contribution
recommended
and
21' Century's knowledge of wild orchid in the British isles arc heartily for
the
to
an orchid hunting expe-
both the novice and professional alike. If you are visiting the British Isles for
uscful.-Paul Martin Brown^au-
dition the Anne and Simon Harraps' field guide will be especially
The Wild Orchids oJNorth Amcriai, Wild Orchuisofthe Southeastcyn
thoK Wild Orchids Florida,
of
SW
FL [email protected].
Un 10896 90"^ Terrace, Ocala, 3448J, U.S.A.,
iicd States.
Mexico
Orchids of
J
9-6878-8908-
and 2005. Orchids of Mexico. (ISBN
Lopnz Rosas, R.L. Drfssler.
Mexico Spanish and English
Published by Institute Chinoin, A.C, City.
X, hbk.).
[email protected]; Redacta, de
S.A.
versions available. (Orders:
SIDA 22(11:839.2006
840
BRIT.ORG/SIDA
22(1)
C
#
Avenida Mayo
V, 10 dc 249, Col, San Pedro de los Pinos, C.P 03800 Mexico,
MEXICO).
D.F. $100.00. plus shipping, 304 650 color photographs, 13.25"
pp..
X
(33.5x25.5
10" cm).
may
Iniual disaj^pointmcin often give way to surprised delight. Such ihc case of Orch idsoj Mexico.
is
Given and
the [utblication research history of the estimable authors had expected
a detail taxo-
1
nomic treatment of the orchids of Mexico, hnagme my surprise when a large format-33.5 X 25.5 cm-
'coffee table" book arrived! This sumptuotisly illustrated voluiue luuch more orchids
N4exico'
is 'in
than Mexico' and wastes no tunc
^of in Uiruig the reader to that country soon discovered that the
I
taxonomie treatment was so looking forward forthcoming on CD
to is a searchable that will cover
I
the 164 genera and 1200+ species wit h over 500 color photographs, check and
a Hst, cross-referenced
1
synonymy
The
current publication mentions of those genera and 450
1C>2 ol the species.
But back to the volume at hand; sitting before me one of the lushest books on orchids have
is
I
ever scon. Apart from ihe which wc
text, will get to later, lavishly illustrated with the highest
it is
quality photographs and many
color reproduction have seen in years and the printing ou heavy
1
stock only adds to the quahty of the book. The authors haw pro\'ided Ub wuh not just an overview of
wuhm
the orchids that grow Mexico, but with details of the several climatic and geological regions
shown
of the country at first in a two-page layout of a satelhte image of Mexico. After relating the
m
history of orchids, and orchid research Mexico, with many reproductions from
of plates well-
known
historic volumes, it concludes with the cthobotanical history featuring Vanilla plauifoUa. A
brief chapter on orchid biology is ampl)- illustrated with photographs of plants from flower
to fruit
many
to flower with the stages in between.
Now
to our adventure searching the w^lds of Mexico. As we visit the eight various habitats the
many
narrative highlights the speciesof orchids that are present and and numerous
vies of the habi-
and them
tats illustrates wdtli color photographs. At this point feW' synonyms are given and occa-
may
sionally the leader be temporarily confused with some newer
of the generic concepts famil-
for
iar species such as Proslhcthca Lilrina For Cattleya citrina and Tamayoikis for a few species
known Many m
traditionally as Mahixis. species found in Mexico are also found the bordering
re-
gions the southwestern United and
ol States. Texas, Florida. always w'elcome photographs
is to see
It
more may
of these southerly species that be very rare in the United States, Because of the arrange-
ment
of chapters by habitat it requires consulting the index to find information on specific species.
m
But that is not the apparent aiiu of this book. It is to immerse the reader the diversity of the orchids
of Mexico and the verdant and prolific varied habitats. A final chapter on Conservation and
efforts
successes followed by detailed photo and an
is creits extensive bibliography,
Thanks
to the team of authors and photographers
the text scientifically accurate
is
'dntl tliis
reviewer did not note any incorrectly labeled or positioned graphics (a feat not man)- books of this
scope can boast'). There few typographical errors with missing scudobulb
a letter pseudobulb,
for
i.e.,
but nothing that could possibly from Many
distract the intense photographers were
text. credited in
book and
the the meticulous editing of these photographs has provided the finished book with
a
contintuty not ol ten seen in similar pubUcations.
Is It evpcnsive?-yes, at SlOO-but worth every pcnn)' of the price. Keep in mind that two books
m
were really written; one Spanish and then one Were
in English. Orchids Mexico not sponsored
of
am
by Chinoin would much
sure have more
it to sell for or not even have ever gone into production.
1
you have any mterest North American
If in orchids, especially froni t]]e southerly regions of that
continent, do not pass up the opportunity purchase And
to this volume. remember, that the interac-
CD
tive will soon be available to satisfy those of us wduuhrive on taxonomie treatmentsL-Pua Mar-
J
tin Brown, author, Wild Orchids of Florida, The Wild Orchuh North America. Wild Orchids
of the
of
Southeastern Vnited I0S96SW
Stcitcs. 90^^^ Terrace, Ocala,l-L344Sl,U.SA.,naorchid@aolLoni
SIDA 22(11:840.2006
