Orchids of India-II: Biodiversity and Status of Bulbophyllum Thou.

Orchids have fascinated people ever since their discovery by "Father of Botany". Theophrastus (370-385 B.C.). They are much loved but little studied as they are the largest, most complex and difficult group with nearest estimate range between 25,000 to 35,000 species in over 800 genera. Majority of orchids known in cultivation are, however, natives of tropical forests of Indian Subcontinent (mainly from India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia). The Indian Bulbophyllum, Cymbidium, Dendrobiums Paphiopedilums, Vandas, etc. contributing to develop high quality hybrids. Indian subcontinent is considered primary/secondary center of origin for Orchids found in phytogeographically interesting North Eastern region. The region being one of the hot-spots of the world is the richest Biodiversity center of the Indian subcontinent. The authors have made an earnest attempt on most deserving topic. The book includes seven chapters: i. General introduction, ii. Biodiversity of Bulbophyllum. iii. Phenology. iv. Palynology. v. Seed morphology. vi. Cytology, and vii. Conclusion. Bulbophyllum is one of the important orchid genera represented by a number of species in this region. This polymorphic and difficult taxa from taxonomic point of view was treated differently by different workers as the taxa are linked with each other in such a way that separation into smaller groups was difficult due to complexities in the group. The book nicely provides the present Status and Biodiversity of Bulbophyllum and allied genera of India, in general and Northeast in particular with keys to these genera, sections and species that were previously included under Bulbophyllum. This is the first consolidated, revisionary taxonomic account on Indian Bulbophyllum and allied genera. A total of 80 species of Bulbophyllum and allied genera are included in this book. The account is supported by 15 illustrations, 37 plates, and 28 tables. Table 1-28 cover monthly average temperature (maximum & minimum), rainfall, relative humidity (morning-evening), detail vegetative and reproductive phenophase data, phenological calendar etc. The book is also primarily intended for the categorization of the genus Bulbophyllum taking the characters of pollinia, seeds and karyotype studies.