An Introduction to the South African Orchids. Schelpe

1966. First edition. Hard cover with dust cover, 109 pages. Good condition; tightly bound. Foxing, especially in front and back. Under 1kg.

This book provides a concise illustrated guide to SA orchids. The amateur orchidologist can identify them at least to the genera and understand some of the curious floral structures that occur amongst this fascinating group of plants. At least one species of over eighty per cent of the fifty-four orchid genera ever recorded from South Africa are illustrated in colour together with annotated diagrams of the essential floral parts. A key for the identification of all the genera of orchids known from this region is provided. The treatment of each genus includes information on the habitat range as well as its distribution in South Africa and elsewhere in the world, together with notes on flowering periods and observations on the biology of interesting species. Although many of the more spectacular indigenous orchids of South Africa have not survived transplanting from their natural habitats some of the more attractive species have proved amenable to cultivation. In these cases the author has drawn on his own experience and that of his fellow orchid growers to summarise their requirements for successful  culture.