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The orchid family, whose scientific name is Orchidaceae, is the most numerous of all the world's plants, with nearly 20,000 species. Costa Rica is no exception, since orchids are the largest plant family in the country with between 1,300 and 1,400 known species.This is the volume 5 of a series of field guides on Costa Rica's orchids and provides a tool for the visual identification of most species. Each species is illustrated with one or several photographs of the flowers and other important details, such as their growth habit and color variations.The main purpose of this series of guides is to promote the conservation of native orchid populations, which are in danger of becoming extinct due to large-scale extraction. ... Read more

Product Description
The orchid family, whose scientific name is Orchidaceae, is the most numerous of all the world's plants, with nearly 20,000 species. Costa Rica is no exception, since orchids are the largest plant family in the country with between 1,300 and 1,400 known species.This is the volume 3 of a series of field guides on Costa Rica's orchids and provides a tool for the visual identification of most species. Each species is illustrated with one or several photographs of the flowers and other important details, such as their growth habit and color variations.The main purpose of this series of guides is to promote the conservation of native orchid populations, which are in danger of becoming extinct due to large-scale extraction. ... Read more

Product Description
The orchid family, whose scientific name is Orchidaceae, is the most numerous of all the world's plants, with nearly 20,000 species. Costa Rica is no exception, since orchids are the largest plant family in the country with between 1,300 and 1,400 known species.This is the volume 4 of a series of field guides on Costa Rica's orchids and provides a tool for the visual identification of most species. Each species is illustrated with one or several photographs of the flowers and other important details, such as their growth habit and color variations.The main purpose of this series of guides is to promote the conservation of native orchid populations, which are in danger of becoming extinct due to large-scale extraction. ... Read more

Product Description
The orchid family, whose scientific name is Orchidaceae, is the most numerous of all the world's plants, with nearly 20,000 species. Costa Rica is no exception, since orchids are the largest plant family in the country with between 1,300 and 1,400 known species.This is the volume 2 of a series of field guides on Costa Rica's orchids and provides a tool for the visual identification of most species. Each species is illustrated with one or several photographs of the flowers and other important details, such as their growth habit and color variations.The main purpose of this series of guides is to promote the conservation of native orchid populations, which are in danger of becoming extinct due to large-scale extraction. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from The Botanical Review, published by New York Botanical Garden on June 1, 2010. The length of the article is 3740 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Orchid classification has undergone a series of significant changes during the past decade as molecular phylogenetic studies have examined relationships at all taxonomic levels in the family. Today, the 750 genera and 25,000 species of Orchidaceae are organized into five subfamilies, the two largest of which (Epidendroideae and Orchidoideae) are further divided into 19 tribes and 43 subtribes. Whereas some of these groups are relatively small in terms of total species numbers, and may be of little horticultural or medicinal value, they are especially important for understanding orchid evolution and may deserve to be conserved for this reason alone. The question of which orchids to conserve is a complex one, but the science of systematics, including taxonomy and phylogenetics, has an undeniable role to play in answering that question. Among the many ways that phylogenetic trees can assist biologists in setting conservation priorities are by: 1) guiding taxonomists in naming species, which is essential for creating checklists within floras, monographs, and inventories; 2) discovering overlooked, rare or cryptic species that deserve recognition and protection; 3) determining whether or not a taxon is actually a species or simply a variant or hybrid; 4) predicting species that may be of value to humans for economic value; 5) identifying species that may have particularly important scientific value for better understanding the biology of plants. In the same way that we cannot protect all habitats, we may not be able to save every orchid species. Priorities must be established. The Yachang Orchid Reserve has been recognized as important not only because of the number of individual orchid plants that grow there, but also because of its great orchid diversity. Diversity is a product of evolution by natural selection, and the science of phylogenetics has a role to play in better understanding that process.

Citation Details
Title: On the value of taxonomy, phylogeny, and systematics to orchid conservation: implications for China's Yachang Orchid Reserve.(Report)
Author: Kenneth M. Cameron
Publication: The Botanical Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2010
Publisher: New York Botanical Garden
Volume: 76Issue: 2Page: 165(9)

Article Type: Report

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Terrestrial orchids have a wide appeal, but unfortunately they rank among the most vulnerable of all plant species, and little is known about how they reproduce in nature. This book contains a detailed survey of the biology of terrestrial orchids, from seed dispersal to establishment and life of the adult plant, based on comparisons of field and culture experiments. The unusual mode of obtaining energy by means of mycorrhiza is examined and evaluated in terms of plant structure and functions, and the impact of this mycotrophic nutrition on orchid evolution. The book makes it clear that an understanding of germination, life histories and seasonal phenology in natural habitats is essential for the success of culture methods, propagation and conservation. The final chapter is a systematic presentation of the life history, endophytes, and propagation of 36 genera of terrestrial orchids. Environmental plant physiologists will find this a stimulating book; for all those who are involved in orchid horticulture the book is indispensable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Symbiotic Orchid Propagation
Very informative.The information is great, the references are helpful and the index is useful. ... Read more