Orchids of the genus Cymbidium

Author: Liu Zhongjian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Orchids, particularly terrestrial species such as Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium faberi, Cymbidium kanran, Cymbidium sinense, Cymbidium barbatum, Cymbidium calanthe, and Cymbidium tigrinum, have been cultivated as ornamental flowers in China for a long history. The first specialized book on orchids published in China can be traced back to the 13th century. These plants are still widely cultivated in China today. It is estimated that there are millions of orchid enthusiasts in the country, with billions of plants being grown. In 1999, Flora of China recorded 29 native orchid species. However, many new species have been discovered since then, including some that are of horticultural value, such as Cymbidium chenningii, Dendrobium calcaratum, and Cymbidium ornatum. This book is based on the author's long-term observations of living plants and provides a taxonomic arrangement of 49 native orchid species. Each species or variety is accompanied by a black-and-white illustration and several color photographs, written in both Chinese and English. A brief introduction is also provided for non-native species. For anyone interested in the diversity of orchid species or in the horticultural hybridization and breeding of this genus, reading this book will be highly beneficial.