Genera Orchidacearum ― Epidendroideae

The number of genera covered in this volume, 209, nearly equals the number in the series' previous three volumes. Affiliated with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Botanical Laboratory, U. of Copenhagen, the editors note that other challenges in cataloguing this large, diverse subfamily were pending DNA analyses and debates over several problematic taxa. Albeit, the great contribution that DNA sequencing has made to the understanding of genetic relationships and identifying morphological features is reflected in this work that seeks to become a benchmark in Epidendroideaea systematics. Genus descriptions include nomenclature, distribution, phytochemitry, phylogenetics, pollination, ecology, economic uses, and cultivation notes. The volume includes line drawings, color plates, distribution maps, a glossary, and locator list of generic names. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Alec M. Pridgeon is Sainsbury Orchid Fellow at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Phillip J. Cribb is Deputy Keeper of the Herbarium and Curator of the Orchid Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Mark W. Chase is Head of the Molecular Systematics Sections, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Finn N. Rasmussen is Associate Professor at the Botanical Institute, University of Copenhagen.