Orchids
of the high mountain
Atlantic rain forest in
Southeastern Brazil

John Skillcorn

Author: David Miller
Publisher: Salamandra Consultoria Editorial S.A.
ISBN: 85-281-0087-1
Price: £19.95

The Publisher says:
...'This book is welcome as one of the first to provide a detailed account of the rich orchid flora of the Mata Atlantica Forests. The authors have first hand experience of the region and its orchids and are keen conservationists and horticulturists. This book will be useful to tourists, orchid growers, scientists and conservationists for its detailed account of this remarkable family of plants.'
Phillip Cribb - Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.

...'In each carefully crafted description the authors show their profound knowledge of the plants themselves and of their specific habitats, growth modes and preferences. This census in the Macaé de Cima Forest Reserve is one more proof that the region is one of the most important remaining Atlantic Rain Forest Tracts. Professional botanists, advanced students, orchid growers and hobbyists alike will benefit greatly from reading this book.'
Gustavo Martinelli - Río de Janeiro Botanic Gardens

My comments:
I think that this book should appeal to anyone interested in orchids from this part of the world.  It is well presented and of good quality and should therefore stand a bit of 'carrying around'.

The main purpose of the book is identification.  It is not a 'how to' book.

It attempts to give the reader a bit of background into what an orchid is.  It includes notes on the various types of orchid plant, labelling them 'leaf gatherers', 'nest epiphytes', tussock formers' and such like.  Some of these names are clearly borrowed from other authorities and their sources are mentioned where appropriate.

As a non-specialist, even I find the book quite readable and I am sure if my interests lay in orchids from Brazil I would find the book very useful.  The photographic section towards the back shows many of the orchids mentioned in the text.

The photographs are of high quality, even allowing for the fact that there are six to an A5 page.  There are 32 pages of photographs.