Wild Orchids of Florida with Reference to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains

Castanea, Jun 2002 by Chafin, Linda G

Brown, Paul Martin, with drawings by Stan Folsom. 2002. Wild Orchids of Florida with Reference to the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. University Press of Florida (http://www.upf.com), Gainesville, Florida. 409 pages. 0-8130-2438-2 Cloth, $50.00; 0-8130-2439-0 Paper, $24.95

Based on years of field experience with orchids and many thousands of miles of travel in Florida, Mr. Brown's book is a wonderful addition to the library and field kit of anyone interested in wild orchids of the southeast. Included are line drawings, distribution maps, keys, more than 440 photographs, and detailed descriptions of 117 orchid taxa of Florida and nearby states in the southeastern coastal plain. The introductory material is an outstanding resource, including a quick lesson in "how to use a dichotomous key" that moves into a useable and nicely illustrated key to genera. Reference and resource materials at the end of the book answer many questions about confusing species pairs, range-wide status of species, and tips and trips for finding orchids in Florida. In addition is a list of Florida's threatened and endangered orchid species, and a brief chapter on orchid distributions and rarity status in adjacent states.

Some may wonder if any improvement is possible on "The Native Orchids of Florida," Dr. Carl Luer's 1972 encyclopedic volume. First, those of us who are fortunate to have access to this out-of-print classic know that we would rather be shot than carry that book into the field. Mr. Brown's book is small and light enough to take anywhere. Second, orchid taxonomy is an ever-changing wonder; those wishing to be current in their nomenclature will be glad for this update. And, third, Florida is a very different place than it was in the 1960s. Large areas of then-undeveloped landscape now sport condos and golf resorts. On the other hand, Florida's enormously successfully conservation land acquisition programs have, since 1979, brought into public ownership extensive tracts that were formerly in private hands and unavailable to botanical explorations. Recent discoveries, some by Brown himself, have brought to light many changes in the status of Florida's orchid species, which are reflected in this book.

Each species account in Wild Orchids of Florida includes descriptions of the whole plant and of its leaves and flowers. Mr. Brown has foregone the more arcane terminology and provided useable and accessible descriptions as well as a glossary. Included in the species accounts are Florida distribution maps, and information on the species' range, flowering period, legal status, and habitat. A closing paragraph contains interesting information on the species' discovery in Florida, its rarity, life history, etc. A minor complaint from someone who once delineated wetlands for a living: I would have found it useful to have the species' state and federal wetland status (FACW, OBL, etc.) mentioned in the account.

The photographs that accompany each species account were obviously selected to show the plants in as many life stages and color forms as possible and to place the plant in its habitat-an indispensable aid to forming a search image for field work. In almost every case, the quality of the photographs and their reproduction are of high quality. The drawings are simple, lovely, and botanically accurate. This book is a welcome newcomer to the naturalist's library!-LINDA G. CHAFIN, SENIOR BOTANIST, FLORIDA NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32303.