The comprehensive Orchids of Western Australia is the result of a 16-year effort by botanists Andrew Brown, Kingsley Dixon, and Stephen Hopper, and botanical artist Pat Dundas. All of the orchids of Western Australia are represented in this book.
Thirty-nine genera are described and each species of orchid was painted by artist Pat Dundas. The orchids of Western Australia are not the sturdy robust orchids usually portrayed in botanical paintings, so do not expect to see the typical Slipper Orchid or corsage cymbidium. The orchids of Australia’s South-West Region and Kimberly Region are slender, delicate, and can have spider-like willowy features. Dundas painted 185 paintings during the course of this project. A monumental task!
In addition to species descriptions, the authors include an introduction to the orchid family (ORCHIDACEAE) and a review of orchid morphology and how orchids are named by taxonomists. The distribution, flowering season, plant-pollinator interactions, and reproduction of Western Australian orchid species are also discussed. The examples of floral mimicry and sexual deception among this group of orchids are especially fascinating.
While the species described in this book are specific to Australia, the contribution Orchids of Western Australia makes to our knowledge of the orchid family is of significance to us all. This reference also serves as another example of how botanical illustration can contribute to our understanding and awareness of plants.
Orchids of Western Australia can be purchased at ArtPlantae Books. This is a special order item. ($80)
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