Since Victorian times the British have been infatuated with the elusive orchid, an inventive species of flower that uses all means at its disposal to lure birds and insects to unwittingly transport its pollen from flower to flower. Not only can these beautiful, colourful, delicate specimens look like female insects, but some even feel like them and smell like them. Others drug their unwitting allies, or trap them in pollen encrusted hollows before they are released to be duped by yet another orchid.

Hunting these jewel-like plants has always been a serious business. In Victorian times the...