Native Orchids of the Southern Appalachian Mountains

by Stanley L. Bentley

This authoritative guide showcases the unmatched beauty and diversity of the native orchids of the southern Appalachian mountains. Based on Stanley Bentley's many years of nature study, it covers the 52 species--including one discovered by Bentley and named after him--found in a region encompassing western Virginia and North Carolina and eastern West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The entry for each orchid provides the plant's scientific and common names, a description of the flower (including color, shape, and size), and information on the time of flowering, range, and typical habitat, all in the context of the southern mountains. A range map accompanies each description, and Bentley's own superb photographs are an additional aid to identification.

Using straightforward language yet incorporating the most up-to-date scientific information and nomenclature, the book will be welcomed by amateur naturalists or professional botanists looking for species in the field and by those who simply enjoy photographs of beautiful wildflowers.

Genres: Nature, Gardening

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2000

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely invaluable resource to anyone interested in native orchids of the area covered by the book. Beautiful photos of each species, extensive documentation of preferred habitat, bloom times for each area in which the species is found, and a county-by-county record of documentation. Amazing work.

[April Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting book for anyone with a keen interest in our native terrestrial orchids. Highly recommend. I liked it so much, we're planning a vacation around visiting some of the areas mentioned in this book.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great orchid book which should be in every wildflower/botanical library. The book is limited to the specific belt region of Southern Appalachia, basically western Virginia and North Carolina and eastern West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The book is comprehensive and the photographs represent the flowers well. What makes this book very special and is often lacking in many field guides, is excellent and well written text. Bentley not only gives fine descriptions of each orchid but goes into the natural history of each plant. The range maps are precise and go down to county level. This book is not just a great field guide but a great natural history guide as well.