This volume investigates the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological requirements of the orchid species native to the British Isles. V.S. Summerhayes, a distinguished botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, synthesizes decades of field observations and herbarium research to provide a comprehensive account of these plants. The text serves as a foundational reference for understanding the complex life cycles and specific habitat needs of the Orchidaceae family within the British landscape.

This work is widely regarded as a definitive, authoritative text on British orchids, valued for its rigorous scientific detail and clarity. It remains a standard reference for both professional botanists and dedicated naturalists interested in the flora of the region.