Britain's Orchids

An accessible, comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide—the only one to cover all the orchids found in Britain and IrelandCovering all fifty-one native species and twelve of uncertain origin, as well as hybrids and variants, Britain’s Orchids is an engaging, intuitive and in-depth identification guide to all the orchids of Britain and Ireland at all stages of development, from first emergence to setting seed. Drawing on the authors’ extensive field experience and the latest scientific research, the book uses multiple techniques to help both beginner and more advanced orchid enthusiasts to identify even the most difficult plants. It is beautifully illustrated with watercolour paintings by talented artist Sarah Stribbling, and features more than 1,200 evocative, instructive and detailed photographs. Orchids have long fired the imagination with their beauty and rarity. This book aims to ignite or increase your passion for these special plants, and for the conservation of their varied habitats—from remote mountaintops to urban wild spaces.The first book to cover all the species at all stages of development, as well as all subspecies, varieties and confirmed hybridsLavishly illustrated with 98 beautiful watercolour platesMore than 1,200 stunning photos showing the orchids in their natural settings and highlighting key identification featuresSimple, step-by-step system for identifying almost any orchid you encounterUp-to-date distribution maps and seasonal charts showing when each species can be seen in its various stages of developmentSean Cole is a field naturalist who has been studying orchids for more than twenty years, with special interests in identification, taxonomy and pollination. He has published many articles on British orchids, including his specialty, the Ghost Orchid. Mike Waller is an ecologist and botanist who specializes in European orchids. He has worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Natural History Museum in London, the London Wildlife Trust and Plantlife.

"This is the future of field guides . . . I just love this book, I absolutely love it."---Chris Packham, #WildMorningswithChris, "It is just about a perfect rendition of the modern field guide: comprehensive, detailed, beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written. It is also excellent value. . . . I would unhesitatingly recommend this new book to anyone interested in our native orchids."---Bob Gibbons, British Wildlife Magazine, "The most startling and richest identification guide I have ever come across. . . . Every single time I pick up this book, I gawp and I learn. Field guide of the year, without question. And quite possibly field guide of the decade too."---James Lowen, James Lowen Wildlife, "This book distinguishes itself in the depth of attention it gives to orchid habitats . . . . The illustrations in the book are quite simply, out of this world superb. . . . This book takes a bold step in a new direction, a leap away from simple listing and describing, to being an efficient and user-friendly tool in the hands of the orchid enthusiast on the quest for accurate identification."---Paddy Tobin, An Irish Gardener, "What I really welcome is the images are brilliant coloured botanical drawings and photos so you get the best of both. A really nice feature is a brief index in a fold of the cover just pointing the species pages. I recommend this very welcome addition to those oft-thumbed works that sit on my desk for easy reference."---Bo Beolens, Fat Birder

Sean Cole is a field naturalist who has been studying orchids for more than twenty years, with special interests in identification, taxonomy and pollination. He has published many articles on British orchids, including his speciality, the Ghost Orchid. Mike Waller is an ecologist and botanist who specialises in European orchids. He has worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Natural History Museum in London, the London Wildlife Trust and Plantlife. Twitter @Britainsorchids Instagram @britainsorchidsbook