In this supplement to his celebrated series of books on the Cattleya alliance of orchids, Carl Withner joins with Patricia Harding to explore "the debatable epidendrums." Carl Linnaeus established the genus Epidendrum in 1753 to include the mostly epiphytic orchid plants being sent to him from tropical America. Over time the genus grew to include more than 1000 species of evergreen epiphytic, lithophytic, or terrestrial orchids. Some of these epidendrums were transferred to other genera. Others have yet to be divided into natural subgroups, which could be split off into their own genera. A portion of these remaining epidendrums, those with pseudobulbs, are the focus of this volume. This book is certain to be of use to hobbyists, collectors, and growers alike.

Patricia A. Harding has been growing and photographing orchids for three decades. An accredited American Orchid Society judge in the Pacific Northwest Center, she is co-author of The Debatable Epidendrums (Timber Press, 2004). She travels extensively to study and photograph orchids in the wild and is a frequent speaker on the topic.

In 1990 Withner was granted the American Orchid Society's highest award, the Gold Medal, to honor his distinguished achievement in science and education. In 1996 the Orchid Digest Corporation awarded him its highest accolade, the Silver Medal for meritorious service to the orchid world. Dr. Withner lives in Bellingham, Washington, where he remains much occupied with orchid research, writing, and work with orchid societies.

"This is a well written, carefully edited and solidly produced book." —Joseph Arditti, Plant Science Bulletin, Spring 2005