Learn the meaning of orchid names...

Orchid Names and their Meanings. By Hubert Mayr. 1998. A. R. A. Ganther Verlag K.-G. Vaduz. Distr. by Koeltz Scientific Books, Konigstein, Germany. 548 pp.

People often wonder where orchids got their names. There are precious few common names in the family Orchidaceae, and even if there were, knowledge of scientific names is a must for any grower, whether professional or amateur.

For decades the name William T. Stearn has been synonymous with plant names. His books Botanical Latin and Stearn’s Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners have been the standards for all horticulturists. The orchids, one of the largest plant families with over 30,000 species from all over the world, and an almost fanatical following among its adherents, has long merited special treatment to help untangle the origins and meanings of its fascinating names.

Just over a decade ago, Dr. Hubert Mayr published a massive volume in German to address this need. The reception in the German speaking world was immediate and positive. It wasn’t long before English speaking orchidists were clamoring for a translation, and in 1998, with the capable assistance of Manfred Schmucker as translator, it was done.

Why review a 9 year old book? Because it’s still needed today. More than ever, orchids have captured the hearts and imaginations of plant lovers. The New York Botanical Garden orchid show breaks attendance records every year and introduces hundreds to the world of orchid growing annually. Other shows around the world are even bigger…and confirm the attraction to these flowers.

The book considers 1000 genera and 7500 species epithets—which cover, in their various combinations, many thousands of the family’s species. It is the most complete compendium of orchid names available.

It is more than just a glossary. Over 100 pages are devoted to background information on plant names and naming rules. Grammatical and pronunciation guides are also provided, along with introductory material on the naming of orchids. The book ends with a specialized glossary of orchid related terms and a bibliography. These sections function like a textbook on horticultural taxonomy.

The only disappointment here is that the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants are not discussed and are relegated to footnote status (not even mentioned in the bibliography), despite their precepts permeating Mayr’s work.

The bulk of the book, of course, is dedicated to the origins and definitions of genus and species names, and it is a gold mine of information. While many of the terms are applicable to other plants as well, there are many names in the Orchidaceae that are unique to the family.

Both the introductory materials and the body of the book contain dozens of stories and anecdotes illuminating the people, places, and experiences of days gone by. The writing is captivating, often humorous—which is quite an accomplishment for a subject some might consider dry. The English (after translation) can be a little choppy at times, but Schmucker acknowledges the difficulty of translating into a language that is not his own.

Minor quibbles aside, Orchid Names and their Meanings is an important addition to the orchid lexicon. This is an essential volume for any orchid lovers library and will immediately increase the value of all the other books on the shelf—providing the keys to unlocking the meaning of orchid names.

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