A lavish and beautiful tribute to the most compelling of all Britain and Ireland’s wildflowers.   Of all our wildflowers, none inspire the same level of ardent fervor among their admirers than the orchids. For centuries they have intrigued and caught the attention of every strata of society, from field labourers to fine artists, apothecaries to scientists, and professional botanists to amateur naturalists.   In this latest addition to the British Wildlife Collection, Jon Dunn tells the colourful story of the wild orchids of Britain and Ireland, blending contemporary scientific understanding of their intriguing and often strange biology with accounts of their influence and presence in the human world, where they have been the source of inspiration or exploitation for centuries. Testament to their versatility is their wiliness to hybridise, and their ability to exploit almost every habitat type that Britain and Ireland has to offer. Some species have evolved to lure and deceive their fungal partners and insect pollinators, and there is the curious case of the Fen Orchid that apparently uses raindrops to trigger pollen deposition.   Incorporating accurate science and well-researched history, and illustrated throughout with the author’s high-quality photographs, this is sure to become a true classic in the British Wildlife Collection.