Orchids of Central Spain (Cuenca Province). A Field Guide

First field guide to wild orchids found in central Spain (Cuenca province) published in English. Why a field guide of wild orchids of Central Spain? Our Serranía mountain range is one of the most densely populated in orchid species in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula, and we are delighted to be able to demonstrate that Cuenca’s well-preserved natural environment attracts orchid specialists from all over Europe. The orchid family is one of the most attractive and original in the vegetable kingdom. As a recent evolutionary group, it emerged when most of the ecological niches were already occupied, which is more than likely the reason for many of its very interesting evolutionary adaptations: its opportunism, the millionaire production of seeds, its imperious need for mycorrhization and its very unique way of ensuring pollination thanks to a sophisticated flower that is particularly attractive to insects.