Product Description

In this sequel to his celebrated series of books on the Cattleya alliance of orchids, Carl Withner joins with Patricia Harding to explore "the debatable epidendrums."

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Epidendrum in 1753 to include the mostly epiphytic orchid plants his students and colleagues were sending back to him from tropical America. Over time the genus grew to include more than one thousand species of evergreen epiphytic, lithophytic, or terrestrial orchids. Some of these epidendrums were transferred to other genera, such as Barkeria, Dimerandra, Oerstedella, and especially Encyclia. Others have yet to be divided into natural subgroups, which could be split off into their own genera. A portion of these remaining epidendrums, those with pseudobulbs, are the focus of this volume.

Withner and Harding have collected the available data and organized it to show what we know about these plants and what problems remain to be resolved in determining how and where to classify them. The authors' data comes first from the literature (which often has conflicting reports) and then from first-hand experience in growing the plants. Keys are provided for each subgroup to assist in species identification, and the cultural information gathered should help keep these plants in cultivation. Supplementing the concise plant descriptions are 98 color photos and 68 line drawings.

Despite their controversial nomenclature, the debatable epidendrums are an interesting and often beautiful species, many being relatively easy to cultivate, making them ideal for beginning growers. This volume is certain to be of use to hobbyists, collectors, and growers alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #830131 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 300 pages

Review
"This is a useful and interesting contribution to orchid botany for both botanists and hobbyists."—Marit S. Taylor, American Reference Books Annual, 2005 (Marit S. Taylor American Reference Books Annual )

"This is a well written, carefully edited and solidly produced book." —Joseph Arditti, Plant Science Bulletin, Spring 2005 (Joseph Arditti Plant Science Bulletin )

"[For] those who are serious growers and hobbyists, this book will prove to be a delight, and will provoke thoughtful discussion."—Ann Krahn, Gardener's Club of Mendota, January/February 2006 (Ann Krahn Gardener's Club of Mendota )

This is a useful and interesting contribution to orchid botany for both botanists and hobbyists.Marit S. Taylor, American Reference Books Annual, 2005 (American Reference Books Annual )

This is a well written, carefully edited and solidly produced book. Joseph Arditti, Plant Science Bulletin, Spring 2005 (Plant Science Bulletin )

[For] those who are serious growers and hobbyists, this book will prove to be a delight, and will provoke thoughtful discussion.Ann Krahn, Gardener's Club of Mendota, January/February 2006 (Gardener's Club of Mendota )

From the Author
Carl L. Withner is professor emeritus of biology at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.

From the Inside Flap
In this sequel to his celebrated series of books on the Cattleya alliance of orchids, Carl Withner joins with Patricia Harding to explore "the debatable epidendrums."

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Epidendrum in 1753 to include the mostly epiphytic orchid plants his students and colleagues were sending back to him from tropical America. Over time the genus grew to include more than one thousand species of evergreen epiphytic , linophytic, or terrestrial orchids. Some of these epidendrums were transferred to other genera, such as Barkeria, Dimerandra, Oerstedella, and especially Encyclia. Other have yet to be divided into natural subgroups, which could be spilt off into their own genera. A portion of these remaining epidendrums, those wither pseudobulbs, are the focus of this volume.

Withner and Harding have collected the available data and organized it to show what we know about these plants and what problems remain to be resolved in determining how and where to classify them. The authors' data comes first from the literature (which often has conflicting reports) and then from first-hand experience in growing the plants. Keys are provided for each subgroup to assist in species identification and the cultural information gathered should help keep these plants in cultivation. Supplementing the concise plant descriptions are 98 color photos and 68 line drawings.

Despite their controversial nomenclature, the debatable epidendrums are interesting and often beautiful species, many being relatively easy to cultivate, making them ideal for beginning growers. This volume is certain to be of use to hobbyists , collectors and growers alike.

Customer Reviews

Orchid information
Excellent book on hard to find information about these magnificent orchids. A must have for every orchid fanatic.