This is the 10th volume in a series which was initiated in 1977. Like previous volumes, it contains scientific peer reviewed reviews on topics dealing with orchids. These topics include 1) a history of orchid breeders in Singapore, 2) discussion of research on pollen effects on orchid flowers carried out a century ago by the German plant physiologist Hans Fitting in Bogor, Indonesia which led to the first suggestion that plants produce hormones, 3) consideration whether orchids are mentioned in the Bible, 4) review of food hairs in orchids, 5) outline of pollen dispersal units in orchids, 6) survey of orchids in art, 7) a tracing of the history of Vanilla pollination, 
a chapter on viruses which attack orchids and 9) an appendix which lists a very large number of orchid books.
All the volumes in this series will appeal to those who are interested in orchids and plant scientists in general.
Among the important papers collected in this volume is Robert M. Hamilton’s “Flowering Months of Orchid Species Under Cultivation,” which records the number of incidences of flowering in each month for an enormous number of species & varieties over a 150-year period.
Orchid Biology: Reviews and Perspectives, IX, presents a broad range of scientific subjects that represents the most current knowledge in orchidology. This volume includes chapters that discuss (1) Calaway Dodson, whose research on the orchids of Ecuador continues to inspire generations of botanists; (2) orchids pollinated by Lepidoptera; (3) a comprehensive survey of terrestrial orchid morphology; (4) the original writings (translated into English) on orchid seed germination by No
Contains seven articles on orchid science, covering such issues as ecology, biological development, physiology, pollination, the orchid production industry and the history of orchid botany. An appendix features many practical methods of pest control.
Many orchids are naturally rare. Others have become endangered or extinct, largely through loss of habitat. This book pulls together expert, up-to-date information on orchid biology, ecology, distribution, destruction, and conservation of these threatened treasures of the plant kingdom.
The male thynnine wasp’s extreme sexual enthusiasm is crucial to reproduction of hammer orchids in the wild. Hammer orchids have co-evolved to produce odors identical to those manufactured by female thynnine wasps. The male wasp’s superb sensitivity to the scent of his female mate is the basis for the hammer orchid’s deceit–in effect, orchids exploit the male insect’s highly adaptive sense of smell for their own propagation. While pollinating orchids is a waste of time, and thus a maladaptive activity for a wasp, his mistake comes about because he must react quickly whenever he senses a possible mate nearby. Alcock suggests that, “for insects, he who hesitates is lost, although perhaps it would be better to say that he who hesitates often loses a chance to pass on his genes.” This book abounds with clever explanations for how these exceptionally complex flowers came to be shaped as they are. The reader can explore many aspects of orchid biology and history ranging from how some species avoid inbreeding, to the origins of orchids from an ancestor that belonged to the asparagus family. Examining each component of an orchid’s flower, Alcock explains how the various parts work together to produce the plant’s minute offspring. Each element of an orchid, as quirky as it may seem, is biologically significant, bearing the imprint of natural selection. Readers can share in the delight that Darwin and all other orchid enthusiasts have felt in making sense of even the smallest of details of these most wonderful plants.
“The hundreds of orchid genera and thousands of species can seem unbelievably complex, but they are beautiful, mysterious, and alluring. Therefore we want reliable ways in which to refer to them–ways that will be understood by those who hear us or read our written communications about these plants. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Illustrated Dictionary of Orchid Genera will become a convenient reference for those many people who are fascinated by orchids. By referring to this guide, one can find a secure mooring for any species of orchid, one that makes it possible to understand its relatives and its place in the galaxy of orchid variation.”–from the Foreword by Peter H. Raven
This, the seventh volume in a respected series of books, continues a policy of presenting significant reviews by outstanding authorities in the field. The chapters in this volume include reviews of molecular biology of orchids, mycorrhiza, embryology, ethnobotany and research in Japan. Like previous volumes in this series, the present one will serve the need of orchid scientists and growers and botanists in general.
