Wild Orchids of Florida: with References to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains [Hardcover]

Paul Martin Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2001

"<i>Wild Orchids of Florida</i> is intended to be used as a field guide, but it is actually a lot more than that. . . . With this work, the present knowledge of the orchids of Florida has been brought to a high level of completeness for the beginning of the second millennium."--Carlyle A. Luer

· 117 species
· 447 color photos
· identification keys
· distribution maps
· tips on orchid hunting
· notes on southeastern and Gulf coastal states

In more than 100 years of orchid research in Florida, <i>Wild Orchids of Florida</i> is the first field guide to be published for this orchid-rich state. Providing more than 400 color photos as well as line drawings by Stan Folsom, distribution maps, and detailed descriptions of each species, this guide should enable even the novice to easily identify any of the orchids found growing in the wild.
Illustrated keys are provided to aid in identification. Each of the 117 species and varieties has a full page of text, a line drawing, and distribution map with a facing page of full-color photographs. Species deemed as naturalized, escaped, or waifs are also treated. A final chapter enabling the reader to use this book in the nearby southeastern Coastal Plain states makes it an even more valuable resource.
Brown also resolves several sources of confusion regarding the naming and location of plants. A chapter on synonyms and misapplied names addresses the problem of multiple names for a single species and is unique among field guides. A section on the changing Florida county lines and their dates makes for a better understanding of the geography of Florida. The book provides a checklist and list of current literature references along with a cross-reference for synonymic, new, and misapplied names keyed on a page-by-page basis to Luer's 1972 <i>Native Orchids of Florida</i>.

Paul Martin Brown is a research associate at the University of Florida Herbarium, Florida Museum of Natural History, author of <i>Wild Orchids of the Northeastern United States</i>, and founder and editor of the <i>North American Native Orchid Journal</i>.

Editorial Reviews

Review

..the best guide native orchid enthusiasts have on the subject. -- The Quarterly Journal of the Florida Native Plant Society

Book Description

Category bestseller now new and improved!

 

Reviews of the first edition:

"Wild Orchids of Florida is a 'must have' for everyone interested in these fascinating plants, whether you are a beginner or a professional. Brown is to be congratulated for this excellent book."--Florida Scientist

 

"Any bird watcher who lives in Florida and also watches plants should have this book, as should any reader who has an interest in orchids--no matter where he or she lives. It is beautifully done and will stand as one of the key references for the group for a long time."--Bird Watcher's Digest

 

First published in 2002, Wild Orchids of Florida was the very first field guide for this orchid-rich state, and it inspired many to try their hand at orchid hunting. Because of its overwhelming popularity and in an attempt to provide the latest developments in orchid research, native orchid expert Paul Martin Brown follows up with this newly revised and expanded edition.

 

            The guide contains 200 new points of fact, including:

·         more than 100 new county records established since 2002

·         three recently rediscovered species that have not been seen in 100 years

·         two previously undocumented species, six new hybrids, and several new color forms described and illustrated   for the first time

·         the resurrection and revalidation of the little-used genus of Gymnadeniopsis

·         34 revised county distribution maps, 37 new color photos, and three new watercolors by Stan Folsom

 

With its comprehensive yet easy-to-follow treatment, Wild Orchids of Florida remains the essential field companion for professional botanists, native plant enthusiasts, nature lovers, or anyone who wants to learn more about what’s growing out in the wilds of Florida.

 

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida; 1st edition (December 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813024382
• ISBN-13: 978-0813024387
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,434,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a guide to Florida orchids, April 13, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wild Orchids of Florida: with References to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains (Paperback)

I had been hoping for a Florida orchid book for a long time to help me understand and identify native orchids. This book goes beyond my expectations. It is wonderfully thorough, with each species covered on two full pages. One page describes the distribution, identifying characteristics, habitat, flowering period, and has a Florida range map and plant illustration. The facing page has several photographs of the plant, showing growing habit, flower close-up, and different color forms. I particularly appreciate the range maps identifying all the Florida counties where the plant has been found. I was able to easily go through the book and make a list of all the species found in my area. The photos are very good and the variety of scales really helps. Reading this guide, it seems like there are orchids all around just waiting for the trained eye to notice them. A must have for your field guide collection.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Orchids of Florida, June 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wild Orchids of Florida: with References to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains (Paperback)

The book is well done and put together. The only issues I noted are that the author does not give photogrpahic credit to several contributors. Least of which is Carlyle Luer. The author has used several copied photos right from Dr. Luers "Native Orchids of Florida" without permission or proper credit.

Some of the taxonomic changes and listing are not as accurate as they could be, but the overall work is complete and covers all known species to occur in Florida. One helpful note, future books should follow the Luer style for various stories and all photos should have dates taken and county listings.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, June 30, 2005

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Wild Orchids of Florida: with References to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains (Paperback)

I love the colorful names of orchids (green adder's mouth, ghost orchid, gentian noddingcaps). This guide covers native and naturalized orchids in Florida plus introduced, escaped and waifs.

The detailed descriptions (1 page each) and multiple photos of each orchid were very helpful. The description gives the origin, details to identify the plant, the leaves, the flower, habitat, flowering period and a paragraph of additional information relating to the rarity of a plant. A map shows the counties where it might be found, plus a drawing of the plant is included.

It contains handy resources like a 9-page checklist,orchid statistics, a glossary, 16 pages clearing up confusion over misapplied names and synonyms, and a bibliography.