For centuries orchids have been among the most popular of plant families, with thousands of species and hybrids cultivated worldwide for the diversity, beauty, and intricacy of their flowers. The Genera Orchidacearum series represents a robust and natural classification of the orchids, something that has eluded plant scientists and orchid enthusiasts for years. The editors, who are all distinguished orchid specialists, incorporate a wealth of new DNA data into a truly phylogenetic classification, identifying the areas and taxa that merit additional work. To this end, they have invited several international specialists to contribute in their particular areas of expertise. Each volume provides comprehensive coverage of one or two orchid subfamilies, and the series as a whole will be an indispensable reference tool for scientists, orchid breeders, and growers. Orchidaceae is the largest monocotyledon family and perhaps the largest plant family in terms of number of species, approximately 25,000. Although the fossil record is limited, active molecular research in recent years has unravelled many of the complexities and phylogenetics of this cosmopolitan plant family. This sixth and final volume treats 140 genera in tribes Dendrobieae and Vandeae of the largest subfamily, Epidendroideae, including some of the showiest orchids often used in hybridizing. Comprehensive treatments are provided for each genus, which include complete nomenclature, description, distribution (with map), anatomy, palynology, cytogenetics, phytochemistry, phylogenetics, pollination, ecology, and economic uses. Cultivation notes are included for those genera known to be in hobbyist collections. Genera are beautifully illustrated with line drawings and colour photographs. An Addendum updates a few generic accounts published in past volumes. A cumulative glossary, list of generic synonyms with their equivalents, and list of all series contributors round out this final volume in the series.

A valuable contribution to the on-going discussions on evolution within the Orchid family. Dressler's work delimits several major natural groups and emphasises areas needing further study.

Orchids represent probably the largest of all flowering plantfamilies on Earth and are renowned the world over for theirexquisite flowers. Their remarkable blooms occur in all manner ofsize and shape, and orchid flowers range from some of the smallestand most diminutive in the plant kingdom to some of the largestand most flamboyant. Historically, the most popular orchids incultivation have been those with large, showy flowers, however asignificant proportion of known orchid species are far smaller.Within this group lie the true jewels of the orchid family, theminiature orchid species, which can produce some of the mostunusual and often spectacular flowers of all. This two volumework, A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species, presents a richlyillustrated insight into the very finest epiphytic and lithophyticminiature orchids currently in cultivation, focusing not only onthose species with remarkable flowers, but also the many speciesthat are grown for their striking leaf and plant forms.Produced with both novices and experts in mind, this exhaustiveand accessibly written work features individual entries for over500 different species across more than 120 genera. Each speciesentry includes nomenclatural and etymological information, as wellas cultivation guidance and notes about habitat, conservationstatus and similarities to other orchids. The species entries alsoincorporate newly published taxonomic data that is also reflectedin the extensive cross-index of orchid names and synonyms, and allspecies are generously represented with numerous photographs,including images of other species with which they are easilyconfused.