Orchids are the most beautiful flowers: revered by botanists and gardeners alike. Many people think they only grow in the rain forests of the tropics, but some of the prettiest grow on our doorstep. The orchids' beauty also hides a complicated biological story: it is not designed to attract humans, but to bring the insects that are vital to their fertility. This guide covers every single species and variety that is found in Britain and Europe; it also covers North Africa and Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Asian Turkey. The introduction covers general information on the evolution, structure and biology of this group: all the information that is vital to positive identification. 375 species and their different varieties are then described in detail, with simple keys to allow any amateur botanist to identify precisely which species they are looking at. The text describes how the common and scientific name is derived, variations, habitat, distribution and details of that species biology. Next to the text for ease of use, the 812 photographs have been taken to show the characteristics of each plant.