The core of this book is the fifty double spreads, one for each species, with text on the left facing photographs on the right, together with five more for subspecies of the most variable species. The text has all that is necessary on identification, habitat, pollination and conservation, and is accompanied by good detail on distribution, including a map which is basically a much reduced version of the map in the New atlas of the British and Irish flora, which is fine except in a few maps with colour coding, e.g. to show early marsh-orchid subspecies, when the scale becomes impossibly small. The maps give only sites where the plant may still be present, so there is no dot for the dense-flowered orchid on the Isle of Man, and exclude the Channel Islands, so loose-flowered orchid appears only in the section on 'species of uncertain or doubtful provenance'. For the rarest species the distribution includes a potted history but I am puzzled by the first British location for the ghost orchid, on the 'Herefordshire-Wiltshire border.'
This book was published at about the same date as two others on British Orchids. The others may have even more stunning photographs, but this one has the best text on conservation in action, and would be my recommendation to the flower-lover whose interest is not exclusively in orchids, but would welcome a handy supplement on the family to the comprehensive floras. My only criticism of the content is that it could have done without scientific names, at a time when accepted English names are more constant, with the exception of those cases where there is a note about taxonomic status.
David Lang's A Guide to the Wild Orchids of GB & Ireland has been my standard reference since 1989. This new, very readable, photographic field guide is a worthy successor. The bulk of the book is comprised of 51 species accounts. The plates face the accurate, detailed, up-to-date text and distribution maps. The photographs are of very high quality; each species has a whole plant shot and a close-up of a floret, and all the sub-species, varieties and forms are also featured. There are also photographs of a selection of hybrids, plus a further nine species of uncertain origin. The section entitled 'An introduction to the species', should aid those new to orchid identification, as this is a quick reference key with brief descriptions alongside photographs of individual florets. Orchids, like birds, are currently subject to taxonomic changes. Young's Helleborine is demoted to a variety, whilst Lindisfarne Helleborine is elevated to species status (although one wonders if this will stand the test of time). This is a well produced book and highly recommended.
When I was asked to write a book review, I felt somewhat intimidated by the whole idea, particularly after scouring the review section of various erudite Sunday supplements at the weekend! I decided that the best way to approach the task would be to think how I would use this book myself and it struck me that Britain's Orchids could be used both as a reference book and a field guide; unusually for this type of book, its compact size makes it ideal to slip into a daypack.
In terms of pure reference, it has been a real pleasure to read about the intricate and mysterious world of orchids. David Lang's book contains plenty of background information on pollination, germination and growth requirements for orchids and their preferred habitats. I have to say that I was particularly captivated by the notes on pollinators for individual species which reveal the very specific and sometimes eccentric methods necessary for successful pollination.
Britain's Orchids also works well as a field identification guide. The book contains high-quality photographs that show the whole plant as well as providing close-up views of individual flowers. What I found particularly helpful is that this guide also contains advice on how to differentiate confusing look-a-likes and hybrids. All this information, together with the comprehensive text and orchid distribution maps makes this book a 'must-have' when it comes to orchid hunting.
Perhaps the best recommendation is to say that this book has already made it onto the top of my Christmas wish-list!
