Extraordinary Orchids
SANDRA KNAPP, THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, £25
Meticulously researched – as one would expect from Sandra Knapp, a senior research botanist at the Natural History Museum – this book is also lavishly brought to life with an abundance of artwork by a roll call of great botanical illustrators.
While it would be easy to be distracted by the glorious colour plates, the accompanying text is full of captivating surprises and interesting information about this immense, diverse family of flowering plants. For example, the ends to which orchids go to ensure pollination are remarkable – deploying flowers with scents that mimic insect sexual pheromones, flowers with enticing ultraviolet-spectrum ‘landing lights’, and even flowers that look like insects, replete with furry bodies and glossy ‘wings’.
Extraordinary Orchids ranges from the past to the present day, with thoughtful consideration for the future prospects of these fascinating flowers. I learned a great deal from this enjoyable book.
Jon Dunn Nature writer