Product guide

The Book of Orchids: 600 Species, Life-Size Guide

Guide: The Book of Orchids presents life-size photographs and profiles of 600 orchid species from around the world. Entries include distribution, peak flowering periods, and distinctive natural and cultural information, making it a visual reference rather than a focused orchid-care manual.

At a glance

Features life-size photographs of 600 orchid species from across the world.
Entries cover distribution, peak flowering period, and species-specific natural and cultural details.
The description names botanists Mark Chase, Maarten Christenhusz, and Tom Mirenda as authors.

Price

$2.99Save 85%

Reference price: ~~$19.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Combines species photography with distribution and flowering-period information for reference and exploration.
The broad species range suits readers interested in orchid diversity beyond commonly encountered varieties.

Cons

Its emphasis is species diversity and reference information, not step-by-step advice for growing or maintaining orchids.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Book details
Title	The Book of Orchids: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World
Publisher	The University of Chicago Press
Publication date	March 30, 2018
Language	English
Print length	655 pages
ISBN-13	978-0226224664

Kindle edition
File size	63.1 MB
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Not Enabled
Word Wise	Not Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

What to know before buying

This listing is for the Kindle edition. The life-size photographs are described by the listing, but their display size will depend on the reading device.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Orchid enthusiasts seeking an illustrated reference to species from around the world.
Readers interested in botanical diversity and species identification details.

Less suited to

Growers primarily seeking practical care instructions for home orchids.
Readers who specifically want a print copy.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.7 / 5 · 171 ratings

5 stars81%81%
4 stars15%15%
3 stars4%4%
2 stars0%0%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback highlights the detailed, educational coverage and describes the book as a useful reference for orchid enthusiasts, including readers interested in plants from around the world. This matches the listing's focus on 600 species and species information. The generally favorable rating pattern is encouraging, though ratings alone cannot establish specific strengths or explain individual experiences.

Positive themes

Customers value the breadth of orchid content and its educational reference use.
Feedback highlights detailed information about the varieties covered.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of information does the book include?

The listing describes life-size photographs and species entries covering distribution, peak flowering periods, and distinctive natural and cultural attributes.

Is this mainly a guide to growing orchids?

The supplied description emphasizes species diversity and reference information. It does not present the book as a step-by-step orchid-care guide.

What is included in the Kindle edition?

The Kindle details list a 63.1 MB file, supported screen reader, enhanced typesetting, and Page Flip. X-Ray and Word Wise are listed as not enabled.