Book Review: Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT
Book Review by Glenn Leiper
'Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT' by Lachlan Copeland and Gary Backhouse
Published by CSIRO Publishing, 456 pages, A5 size, paperback
RRP $49.99
“Oh no, not another orchid book!” I may have said when I heard about this new publication. However, my initial concerns have been laid to rest, as this is a very good book.
There is comprehensive coverage of the 582 known species, including over 500 terrestrial species and 62 epiphytic and lithophytic species, including 65 unnamed species. There are over 600 colour photos taken in the wild habitats, as well as distribution maps for all species. The book is being promoted as “the essential guide for all orchid enthusiasts” and it’s difficult to argue with that statement.
When choosing an orchid field guide, you want it to —
- be as comprehensive as possible
- be up to date
- have good photos
- have clear descriptions
- have distribution maps
- have notes on how to differentiate between similar species.
And you get all these in spades!
Some other interesting notes include a small section on hybrid orchids, discussions about the varying impacts of fire on orchids, and orchid pollination strategies.
Both authors have extensive credentials –
Dr Lachlan Copeland is a botanist specialising in the taxonomy and conservation of threatened plants. Over 25 years, he has discovered several new orchid species and published more than 45 scientific papers relating to native orchids and other plants of conservation significance.
Gary Backhouse worked in biodiversity conservation with the Victorian Government until his retirement in 2012. He has travelled to most of the major centres for orchid diversity around the world and has photographed over 5,000 orchid species in the wild. Gary is author or co-author of three books on native orchids of Victoria and a book on Caladenia orchids of Australia.
Western Australia is generally referred to as 'the Wildflower State' and the orchids are often quite colourful, intricate and unusual, if not spectacular. However, the orchids of our southern neighbours would have to rival the far western ones, with a greater species diversity for a start. Many of the orchids covered in this book also occur in parts of Queensland, especially the south-east, so this book would be useful in that region at least. However, if orchids interest you, this book is recommended if you’re travelling south.
It can’t be beaten!
Book Review Published: Journal March 2022
