The perfect guide to these beautiful and evocative plants, covering all 52 British and Irish species.

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.

Part of the Pocket Guides series covering British and European wildlife, including garden birds, butterflies, insects, wild flowers, trees and shrubs and tracks and signs.

Simon Harrap is a professional writer, photographer and tour leader, based in Norfolk. He leads birdwatching tours throughout the world, and botanical and nature trips in Norfolk. His previous books include Orchids of Britain and Ireland, Flowers of the Norfolk Coast, Flowers of the Norfolk Broads (all of which are illustrated with his own photographs), as well as RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds and Where to Watch Birds in Britain.

Introduction
Why this book?
What is an Orchid?
Orchids & Fungi
Orchid Seeds
Orchid Conservation
Pollination
Notes on the Species Accounts

Species Accounts

Additional Species
Glossary