Carl Ludwig Willdenow

German botanist and pharmacist

Biography

Karl Ludwig Willdenow

Carl Ludwig Willdenow (22 August 1765 – 10 July 1812) was a renowned German botanist and pharmacist, known for his significant contributions to the field of botany. He was born in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, and developed an early interest in the natural sciences.

Willdenow studied medicine and botany at the University of Halle, where he was influenced by the works of Carl Linnaeus. He later became a professor of botany at the University of Berlin and the director of the Berlin Botanical Garden.

Contributions to Botany

Willdenow is best known for his work on plant taxonomy and his role in the development of the natural system of plant classification. He was a pioneer in the study of plant geography and was one of the first to recognize the importance of climate and soil in the distribution of plant species.

Publications

Willdenow's most notable work is "Species Plantarum," a continuation of Linnaeus's work, where he described many new plant species. His other significant publications include "Grundriss der Kräuterkunde" and "Principles of Botany."

Herbarium

Example of a herbarium sheet

Willdenow's herbarium, which contains thousands of plant specimens, is one of the most important collections of its kind. It is housed at the Botanical Museum in Berlin. His meticulous documentation and classification of plants have been invaluable to botanists worldwide.

Legacy

Willdenow's influence on botany is profound. He trained many students who went on to become prominent botanists themselves. His work laid the foundation for future botanical research and classification systems.

Related pages

• Carl Linnaeus
• Botanical Garden
• Plant taxonomy
• Herbarium