Recent studies have revealed remarkable complexity and diversity in orchid-pollinator
relationships. These studies comprise a vast literature currently scattered in numerous often
obscure journals and books. The Pollination Biology of North American Orchids brings together
for the first time a comprehensive treatment of this information for all native and introduced
North American orchids found north of Mexico and Florida. It provides detailed information on
genetic compatibility breeding systems pollinators pollination mechanisms fruiting success
and limiting factors for each species. Distribution habitat and floral morphology are also
summarized. In addition detailed line drawings emphasize orchid reproductive organs and their
adaptation to known pollinators. This the second of two volumes treats the subfamily
Orchidoideae with the tribe Cranichideae. This is followed by examination of the seven North
American tribes of subfamily Epidendroideae and the single North American tribe of subfamily
Vanilloideae. The Pollination Biology of North American Orchids will be of interest to both
regional and international audiences including: - Researchers and students in this field of
study who are currently required to search through the scattered literature to obtain the
information gathered here. - Researchers and students in related fields with an interest in the
co-evolution of plants and insects. - Conservation specialists who need to understand both the
details of orchid reproduction and the identity of primary pollinators in order to properly
manage the land for both. - Orchid breeders who require accurate and current information on
orchid breeding systems. - General readers with an interest in orchid biology. Charles Argue
Ph.D. is a plant biologist at the University of Minnesota specializing in the study of pollen
grains. His articles have appeared in numerous journals including the American Journal of
Botany International Journal of Plant Sciences (formerly Botanical Gazette) Botany (formerly
Canadian Journal of Botany) Grana Pollen et Spores North American Native Orchid Journal The
Native Orchid Conference Journal Fremontia and as chapters in a number of books. .
