Customer Reviews

Orchids of Guatemala and Belize

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Oakes Ames and Donoval Stewart Correll excelled themselves with this fabulous addition to worldwide botanical knowledge. Featuring a listing of the then-known 531 species found in Guatemala and its northeastern neighbor Belize, it also includes dozens of detailed black-and-white drawings depicting the different parts of the plant like roots, leaves and flowers. Each genus is followed by a detailed description and a key to identify the different species present in it. Each species is followed by its appropriate list of synonyms, a tremendously detailed description, and sometimes a few words to compare and contrast with similar species. It also features a complete introduction to the orchid family, including illustrated characteristics and descriptions, and a brief essay on the distribution of Guatemalan orchids. The book, divided in two parts, was later grouped with a third addition describing some newly found species and other places where they had been found. All three parts make up this outstanding volume, packed with interesting remarks, fascinating facts and beautiful illustrations - a "must" for orchid lovers everywhere!

Orchids of Guatemala and Belize is an old classic, with several volumes which have been reprinted in a softcover, low cost format. It's useful, however most of the taxonomy is outdated. This is a volume that surely is a good acquisition for any orchid library, and good value in the relation to the low cost and thickness, however the reader should not expect many illustrations. There are no pictures, and only a limited number of line drawings in relation to the total number of species covered.