Orchids of Minnesota

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic reference for native orchids
Review: I am a nature photographer and have a passion for finding and photographing orchids. Because of their relatively short flowering times it is really essential to be able to know where and what habitat to find them, when they will be blooming and a bit of the biology of the flower. With this reference I have been able to actively locate these lovely jewels across Minnesota. It isn't a book necessarily full of photos (it has enought though of the more showy varieties) but I still highly recommend this book for anyone truely interested in orchids native to Minnesota. It is a much better reference than similar books I've seen about other states' orchids.

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic reference for native orchids
Review: I am a nature photographer and have a passion for finding and photographing orchids. Because of their relatively short flowering times it is really essential to be able to know where and what habitat to find them, when they will be blooming and a bit of the biology of the flower. With this reference I have been able to actively locate these lovely jewels across Minnesota. It isn't a book necessarily full of photos (it has enought though of the more showy varieties) but I still highly recommend this book for anyone truely interested in orchids native to Minnesota. It is a much better reference than similar books I've seen about other states' orchids.

Rating:
Summary: A taxonomic overview of the Orchid species of Minnesota
Review: Orchids of Minnesota by Welby R. Smith covers the many species of Orchids that live in the state of Minnesota with all it's diverse plant habitats. The book has nice drawings that make species ID easy.

This is a taxonomic over view of the Orchid species that grow in Minnesota, covering identification, what locations or habits they grow in, were in the state they grow (including state maps) with growing locations illustrated, when they bloom and if they are rare.

The focus of the book is not pretty pictures but the identification and description of the many species and forms of these plants that live in the state. This book is for those that are familiar with plant identification and have a love for "native wild plants" It is not geared to the gardener. It is informative and easy to read, with an illustrated key (used to identify plants), species accounts (covering location were plants grow, habitats they grow in and some historical information).

I recommend this book if you are interested in the identification and ecology and location of the Orchids of Minnesota. I think it would be valuable to those that do not live in the Minnesota too for its over view of each plant. The naming of the plants takes in recent taxonomic work so the book is up to date and the keys are easy to use. A book valuable for the layman as well as those with more Botanical interests. It is a nice looking book for the series minded Orchid lover.

Paul Henjum Specialty Perennials