Synopsis Orchids are the integral parts of India's wonderful natural heritage. Because of the richness of the orchid flora, Indian subcontinent has long been a source of great attraction to horticulturists, botanists, collectors and connoisseurs. The taxonomical studies conducted long back by few eminent botanists are the only records available on native Indian orchids in the literature. In spite of the importance of orchids in modern floriculture, very little efforts have been made in India to study them from different angles. Thus for quite some time a want is being felt by the floriculturists and botanists for a practical guide on this natural wealth of India. Orchids of India was designed to meet this requirement and was first published in 1980, in about 570 pages with many illustrations. During the past several years, enormous changes in orchidology around the world have taken place and these have markedly influenced the advanced studies on the subject. The authors, therefore, felt the need for a comprehensive publication on Indian orchids, a natural wealth of the country. The authors have tried in this book to include orchid genera and species of India to make it as complete as possible. Many of the orchid species were studied in their natural habitat and also cultured and grown successfully under greenhouse condition. Authors have endeavoured to deal throughly with many of the facets of orchid growing. Apart from description, distribution and cultural notes on vast number of native genera, species and hybrids, chapter on the importance and uses, environment, structure of orchids, housing, potting media, manuring, pests and diseases, pollination, fertilization, hybridization, seed dispersal, propagation, seedlings and their care, etc., have been incorporated in the book. This book has also been profusely illustrated to help the botanists, collectors, and growers in identifying the plants.