Saving Orchids
Philip Seaton, Lawrence W Zettler
Saving Orchids
Philip Seaton, Lawrence W Zettler
A gorgeously illustrated ode to the beauty and significance of orchids--and to those fighting to save these unique plants across the globe.
Until recently, a myriad of lifeforms enriched our lives. In some places, listening to a nighttime chorus of frogs in the neighborhood marsh was an archetypal touchstone of childhood. Children would search for tadpoles, just steps away from native Lady's Tresses orchids. Year by year, the chorus became quieter. Today, only a few frogs and orchids remain. Is this the world we want our children to inherit? Do we want orchids to slip through our fingers and, eventually, to vanish?
For biologists Philip Seaton and Lawrence W. Zettler, and the intrepid orchid defenders they introduce in this book, the answer is no. Seaton and Zettler have traveled the world over the past three decades, studying orchids--flagship species for plant conservation. Stunningly illustrated, this book is a culmination of stories about the people--young and old alike--dedicated to protecting these remarkable plants from extinction. In the 19th century, collectors removed, shipped, and sold vast numbers of orchids from the wild. Today, scientists strive to reverse this harm--to protect and rebuild remnants of orchids' original habitats against human disruption, including climate change. Seaton and Zettler reveal these plants' bizarre pollination partners, risky liaisons with fungi, and adaptation to human domestication to show that learning orchids' scientific secrets--and finding human helpers--is key to these plants' survival.
Order online and we’ll ship when available (13 February 2025)
Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.