Orchids-with more than 25,000 species-spark passion as nothing else in nature. Personages as diverse as jeweler Henri Cartier, designer Vivienne Westwood, author Susan Orlean, and thousands upon thousands of plant hunters have been seduced by their bewitching beauty, aroma, and rarity. Now master photographer Fabio Petroni has created a stunning tribute to this flower, capturing them in close-up and detailed still lifes, with irresistible charm and appeal. AUTHOR: Photographer Fabio Petroni specializes in portraits and still lifes. Over the years he has photographed leading Italian celebrities, and he now works with top advertising agencies where he handles the publications of some important Italian brands. His books with White Star include Horses: Master Portraits, Mutt's Life!, Cocktails, and Supercats! He lives and works in Milan. Anna Maria Botticelli is a biologist and microbiologist with a passion for plants. For more than 20 years, she has worked with various Italian publishers, including Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Cairo Editore, Periodici San Paolo, and Pentagono Editrice. For Gardenia, Italy's most important monthly magazine on flowers, plants, and gardens, she oversaw the production of several monographs, including one dedicated to orchids, and also published Ritratti di Orchidee (Idealibri). Together with herbalist and pharmacist Clementina Cagnola, she wrote La salute foglia per foglia (A. Mondadori) and in collaboration with the IBC (International Flower Bulb Centre), she edited the technical introduction to the book Giardini in vaso (A. Mondadori). Anna Maria lives in Milan. 135 colour photographs