Century of West Himalayan Orchids

In India, the orchid family is the second largest family of flowering plants and is represented by about 178 genera and 1280 species. Though orchids in India are cosmopolitan in distribution, their maximum number and diversity is found in the Himalayas, North Eastern region and Western Ghats. The Western Himalayan region supports a rich orchid flora comprising of more than 270 species of which the state of Uttarakhand or the west Himalaya alone harbors about 239 species. The book ‘A CENTURY OF WEST HIMALAYAN ORCHIDS’ deals with 100 interesting and unusual species of orchids. The introductory chapters provides a brief but lucid account of the history of orchidology including the first reported orchid fossil, detailed vegetative and flower structure of orchids excellently supported by relevant colour photographs. The broad knowledge of authors about orchids is evident throughout; their experience gained as orchid taxonomists, plant collector, and their deep passion for orchids, adds depth to the treatment of the species. The high quality, sumptuous photographs and dissected floral parts uniquely arranged in the photo plates are bound to help the orchid lovers and enthusiasts in their collections as well as in providing accurate identity of orchid species, Etymology, Habitat, Distribution, Phenology and their potential uses for commercial exploitation. No other serious reference approaches the depth and authority of this remarkable book.