"This volume offers the serious orchidist not only a guide to species identification, but also a many-faceted 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 is the result of 25 years' research. This is a combined approach, bring together morphology, physiology, taxonomy, biogeography, plate tectonics, ecology, and evolution. Following recent molecular studies, he divides the genera intwo two major clades, one tracing to India and the other to Australia, and follows their distribution from Asia and Australia to Guam and Tahiti. He discusses the species inhabitating each geographical area and lists them by sections. This work updates the taxonomic system of sections originated by Rudolph Schlecteer and supported by recent DNA results."--NHBS Environment Bookstore.