Table of Contents

1.: Warty Hammer Orchids, Adaptations, and Darwin
2.: The Adaptations of Behaving Plants
3.: Adaptations and Maladaptations
4.: The History in Evolution
5.: Orchids, Species, and Names
6.: Orchids, Biodiversity, and Hotspots
7.: Orchids and Conservation
8.: Happy Hunting

About the Author

Dr. Alcock's research deals with the evolution of diversity in insect mating systems. He studies selected species of desert insects in Arizona and Western Australia, in an attempt to document the variety of male mate-locating techniques in various bees, wasps, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects. The goal of his research is to test hypotheses on the adaptive value of the different ways in which males find mating partners.

Reviews

"...very informative, lucidly and entertainingly written, and a pleasure to read. It is easily one of best books on orchids I have read." --Quarterly Review of Biology
"The book is easy to read and has many beautiful illustrations. For an overview of the concepts of adaptation and maladaptation, a brief history of evolution in general, and a good look at the hotspots, biodiversity and conservation of orchids in southwestern Australia in particular, this is the book to read."--Nature
"Interesting book...can provide good examples of plant adaptations which are desperately needed."--Plant Science Bulletin
"...very informative, lucidly and entertainingly written, and a pleasure to read. It is easily one of best books on orchids I have read." --Quarterly Review of Biology
"The book is easy to read and has many beautiful illustrations. For an overview of the concepts of adaptation and maladaptation, a brief history of evolution in general, and a good look at the hotspots, biodiversity and conservation of orchids in southwestern Australia in particular, this is the book to read."--Nature