Paphiopedilum. A monograph of all tropical and subtropical asiatic slipper orchids.1988.113 coloured photographs. 248 p.gr8vo. Bound.-Bilingual (German/English).

Among the most interesting groups of orchids the slipper orchids aremost definately outstanding. They have conquered a niche in manydifferent floras of the temperate, tropical and subtropical regions ofearth. Their large, sometimes multicoloured and amazingly grotesqueflowers have assured them quite a number of friends among thenaturalists and bear quite some mysteries not yet solved by thescientists. This book is a treatment of the Asiatic genus Paphiopedilumin the form of a monograph which is suited to satisfy the needs of theamateur naturalist as well as the demands of modern scientific research.The treatise starts with a historical review and a modern systematictreatment of the genus. This is followed by a key to the subgenera,sections and subsections. In the descriptive part, each Subgenus,Section and Subsection is dealt with in general terms including a key tothe taxa. Thereafter, for each generic division, all pertaining speciesand natural hybrids are discussed in detail. For each taxon, the validtaxonomy according to the rules of modern systematics is given as wellas a short review of the history of discovery. A detailed descriptionfollows and details about the natural habitat are given. Accordingly,some cultural advise is indicated. The most important varieties and allsynonyms are listed and discussed. At the end of the book a diagram ofthe flowering periods and a complete list of synonyms is integrated.