The Illustrated Dictionary of Orchid Genera

Available for online purchase - click here!

(International Orders - please call or email Clare Howell at 941-366-5731 xt. 244

or chowell@selby.org to have your order processed!)

ANNOUNCING

The Marie Selby Gardens Illustrated
Dictionary of Orchid Genera

Peggy Alrich and Wesley Higgins

Bruce Hansen, Robert L. Dressler, Tom Sheehan, and John Atwood, editors

Foreword by Peter H. Raven

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Illustrated Dictionary of Orchid Genera is a collaborative project of Peg Alrich and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Orchid Identification Center. It is intended to fill a void in the existing reference material by providing a comprehensive and updated source of information on the taxonomy and nomenclature of the orchid family.

The dictionary is the most comprehensive collection of orchid genera nomenclature to date with over 3800 names. This easy-to-navigate full-color book measures 8.5 x 11 (21.5 cm x 28 cm) and contains over 500 pages which present the current status of orchid taxonomy and the history of generic names, making it an important reference for botanists, taxonomists, orchid lovers and horticultural specialists. Easy to read and understand, the color-coded, fact-filled pages are complete with color illustrations or line drawings for each genus. Each genus description for the more than 3000 orchid genera names includes the author(s) name, publication name, as well as page number and year of publication.  Accepted genera include subfamily, tribe, and subtribe placement.  The etymologies have been carefully researched and greatly expanded from other listings. Each genus has its type species or lectotype listed, the number of species credited to the genus, and the species distribution. Also included is a brief description of the plants and flowers of the genus. Additionally the dictionary includes an introductory overview of the orchid family by David Benzing, the well-known epiphyte ecologist. The appendices include a list of the taxonomists along with their birth/death dates and genera authored, a listing of the standardized publication abbreviations used in literature, and a listing of species illustrations used.

Supplementary Material:

• A list of book/periodical abbreviations used in the dictionary.
• A glossary of technical terms used to describe orchids.
• The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) rules for naming genera (reprinted with permission)
•  A list of illustrations by species name
• A classification of Orchidaceae that accords with the most recent findings from phylogenetic studies.
• An index of taxonomic authorities
• A list of selected reading on Orchidaceae.

The dictionary is  available at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' bookstore. The price is $49.95 each plus shipping and handling online.

Quotes:

"Just right for the office or the home library" - Dr. Ken Cameron, University of Wisconsin

"Balances the needs of amateur orchid enthusiasts with those of the professional orchidologist" - Dr. Peter Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden