The Dendrobiums

Foreword by Jeffrey J. Wood/ Introduction/ Evolution and Distribution/ Morphology and Anatomy/ Cultivation/ Scientific Topics (Ethnobotany, Pollination, Mimicry, Gregarious Bloom, Phytochemistry, Physiology, Ecology, Genetics)/ Taxonomy and Nomenclature/ Geographical Survey/ Genera and Sections in the Dendrobiinae/ List of Species (alphabetical)/ Appendices/ Glossary/ References/ Index of Species Names. - This volume offers not only a guide to species identification, but also a many - facetted source of information on the Dendrobiinae, including a guide to taxonomy, a historical review, a summary of relevant literature, and a stimulus for new investigation. Dr. Wood's comprehensive account of Dendrobium and related genera is the result of 25 years' research, inlcuding recent DNA results. The author approaches his subject with a combined approach including, among other subjects, morphology, physiology, taxonomy, biogeography, plate tectonics, ecology, and evolution. Following recent molecular studies, he divides the genera into two major clades, one tracing to India and the other to Australia, and follows their distribution from Asia and Australia to Guam and Tahiti. The author presents alo a scenario for the role of bee and other pollinators in the distribution of the subtribe.