A Guide to Dendrobium of Borneo
By Jeffery J. Wood – (2013)
146 pages; matt art paper, with 193 colour photographs & 13 monochrome illustrated plates.
Soft Cover: 21.5cm x 15.2cm.
ISBN: 978-983-812-143-9
Natural History Publications (Borneo) Kota Kinabalu
The horticulturally popular Dendrobium is one of the largest genera of the Orchidaceae with around 1580 species. Borneo is home to at least 167 species in 15 sections. This guide is a rather miniature version of the massive “Dendrobium of Borneo” (2014) also authored by Jeff Wood.
The opening pages deal with species numbers, global distribution, history, plant and flower structure, morphology, pollination and the many and varied habitats Dendrobium are found growing in Borneo. The various habitats are well illustrated and described. This is followed by a key to the sections in Borneo and a well-informed description of the sections.
The species are listed alphabetically and of the 83 species included, each has its botanical name, author, year published and its assigned section accompanied with a fairly detailed description, notes on habitat, ecology, distribution and other miscellaneous notes and observations. Each species is illustrated with at least one quality colour photograph, some have as many as four
Four closely related genera Cadetia, Diplocaulobium, Epigeneium and Flickingeria, recently recognized as part of a broader defined Dendrobiumas a result of molecular studies are briefly discussed. The guide closes with a glossary and index with a preliminary checklist of Borneo’sDendrobium species
This is a very handy and informative guide which can also be used in neighboring countries. Its compact size and light weight makes it a great companion for anyone travelling to Borneo and easy to carry and use in the field or at orchid shows.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Books