European Orchids

After working at universities in the UK for over 20 years, and teaching for over 15 of them, I have always tried to enthuse students about plants. To that end I published ‘The Physiology and Behaviour of Plants’, with Wiley Publishing in 2008. One topic that never failed to really fascinate students was the orchid life cycle. I have tried in this ebook to give a flavour of my lectures on these remarkable plants, but at the same time I have kept the material accessible to all levels of interest. 

I did not see my first one in the UK until the year 2000. I dutifully photographed it and identified it, and then began a quest to learn more. Here I present over 520 images of orchids (from over 130 different species, subspecies and variants) I have encountered across Europe in my search to understand their complex life cycle and evolution. 

I hope reading this text that you gain as much pleasure as I have done putting this work together. I have also added in Chapter specific instructions about where to find orchids, so you too can experience their wonder first hand.

It covers the following topics;

The underworld of orchids

The life cycle of orchids

Identifying orchids

Anacamptis

Dactylorhiza

Helleborines

Ophrys

Orchis

Serapias

Other genera

Hunting for orchids

The evolution of sexual mimicry

As one of my research areas was plant biotechnology, I was keen to culture these plants, and to a limited extent I was successful. At one time I had over 1000 orchids growing in greenhouses at the University of Sussex. This is why I have photographed both the above and below ground growth of these plants here in this work. Also I have included details on the early stages of the orchid’s life which usually goes unnoticed.

I have strived to ensure the text and photographs are as accurate as I can make them. However, some species are so complicated errors are inevitable. 

In the free taster version of the book only the first section of the introductory chapter is present and a little section on the bee orchids. This should give a flavour of the full version. I have also kept the ebook as cheap as possible to broaden its appeal.

Dr Peter Scott