Book on orchid alliances?

[tropterrarium]

I am looking for a book recommendation on how to tell to which alliance a particular species/morphology belongs. So a book that defines the alliances by morphological features (or whatever those alliances unites), not just by the genera included.

Any suggestions?

I can read fairly technical systematic treatments, so cladograms, synapomorphies etc. are not problem. English, German, or French are OK.
Thanks!

[Tindomul]

hmmm, you may have to consult the scientific literature. There are books on the systematics of the genera, and within alliances, but don't know of any that treat how the different alliances are organized in regards to one another.
With one exception.
Mabberley's Plant-book: A Portable Dictionary of Plants, their Classifications, and Uses.
Its a dictionary of plant names, gives you information of genera, families, and in the case of orchids it will tell you in which alliance each genera belongs. Does the same for Aroids and other complicated families. Though sometimes the alliances are not the same fashion as those most orchid growers are familiar with. But you will understand. Amazon has it, im sure its very easy to find and acquire. In fact I recommend it to anyone who has any kind of interest in plants (scientific or hobby).

[tropterrarium]

Hi Tindomul,

thanks for the Mabberley volume. Not exactly what I am looking for, but still interesting and potentially worthwhile having. The Amazon preview is very useful and tempting.

I only have a few orchid books, a couple specialized ones on genera I like (Bulbophyllum, Masdevallia), and recently got Flora's Encyclopedia, just pretty pictures alphabetically, but OK to get an overview what's out there.

Re scientific literature, that is fine. If someone knows some kind of review paper that threats the subject (An. Rev. Ecol. Syst. or something of that sort) that's perfectly doable. If the local university library does not have it, I can get it by interlibrary loan.

[Tindomul]

google scholar can help.

I have the same books as well one on Phalaenopsis.

PS you won't regret Mabberley's book

[ronaldhanko]

Perhaps Dressler's Phylogeny and Classification of the Orchid Family is what you are looking for.

[susiep]

I was happy to see this thread. I would like a book or two (though not as technical) explaining the "how and why" of the classifications within the orchid family tree. I will definitely check out these two suggestions.

[tropterrarium]

Hi Ron,

yes, Dressler looks about right. Thanks.