1951 ORCHIDS OF THE WEST

The first book written by Rica, Orchids of the West, identified and illustrated the genera of wild orchids to be found in Western Australia. Written in an easy-to-read style for the nature lover it did not sacrifice scientific accuracy and so was also of use to the serious botanist. A copy of the 1951 edition is held in the Battye Library rare book collection and when it was published in 1965 it was the only Australian orchid book to run to a second edition. In 1954 a copy of Orchids of the West was presented to Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal visit to the Western Plains Division of the Country Women's Association.