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Vanishing Beauty: Native Costa Rican Orchids, Volume 1: Acianthera Kegeliella is a 2005 hardcover botanical monograph by Franco Pupulin and colleagues, published by the Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica. This first volume in a three-part series presents an exquisite visual and scientific exploration of Costa Rica's native orchids, specifically covering species from the genera Acianthera through Kegeliella. Costa Rica is home to more than 1,400 orchid species, making it one of the richest orchid regions in the world, and this book pays homage to that extraordinary biodiversity.
With 421 pages and around 450 full-color photographsmany presented as full-page platesthe book combines studio-quality imagery with detailed scientific data. Each orchid portrait includes the species name, author citation, date of photograph, GPS location, elevation, and reproduction scale. The photographs, captured using medium-format Hasselblad cameras and fine-grain film like Fuji Velvia, offer extraordinary sharpness and fidelity, showcasing the fragile beauty of each species.
The accompanying text includes contributions from 18 internationally recognized orchid specialists, offering authoritative insights into the taxonomy and natural history of the included genera. The book adopts the modern, molecular-based classification system found in Genera Orchidacearum, ensuring contemporary scientific relevance.
Vanishing Beauty is not only a botanical reference but also an artistic work that bridges science and conservation. It stands as a tribute to the efforts of the Jardín Botánico Lankester and is essential for orchid enthusiasts, botanists, and conservationists. Though now out of print, Vanishing Beauty is considered a collector's item and may be available through rare and academic book dealers.
