Orchids of India III: Biodiversity and Status of Vanda Jonesex R Br

Orchids have fascinated people ever since their discovery by “Father of Botany” Theophrastus (370-385 BC). At present orchids have emerged as leaders in floriculture and account for multimillion-dollar cut flower industry in several countries. Majority of orchids known in cultivation are, however, natives of tropical forests of Indian Subcontinent (mainly from India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia). The Indian Bulbophyllum, Cymbidium, Dendrobiums, Paphiopedilums, Vandas etc. are contributing to develop high quality hybrids. Indian subcontinent is considered primary/secondary center of origin for Orchids found in phytogeogrphically interesting North Eastern region. The region being one of the Hot Spots of the world is the richest Biodiversity center of the Indian subcontinent. The genus Vanda is most striking and one of the highly popular group of orchids. The group display great diversity, coloration and tessellation pattern, thus comprise forms which are most magnificent orchids for which India in general and north-eastern India in particular could be proud of Medicinal values of Vandaceous taxa find mention in “Charka Samhita” an ancient medicinal treatise written by Charka in Sanskrit. The sub tribe Sarcanthinae and genus Vanda is a difficult and complex group. There are many attempts to transfer or merge species as well creation of new genera. In the light of above an account on Indian Vandas is important and the authors therefore have made an earnest attempt on most deserving topic to present in comprehensive account on various aspects of Indian species of Vanda. After successful “Green Revolution” which helped India to attain self sufficiency in food grain, the country now needs to exploit the commercial potential of its vast orchid Biodiversity. Vanda is one of the important orchid genera represented by a number of species of this region. The book nicely provides the present status and Biodiversity of Indian Vanda in general and Northeast in particular. The book has clearly established that of 40 species of Vanda, which are mainly distributed in the Indo-Malayan region, India is a major natural habitat with 14 species. The book also deals studies on other aspects of taxonomy of Indian species.