Twentieth century vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal

Abstract

We discuss the development of, and trends in, vascular plant taxonomy in Portugal during the 20th century, with emphasis on the institutions and taxonomists that were instrumental in advancing and facilitating this branch of scientific botanical endeavour. We show that the bulk of the nomenclatural novelties published by Portuguese botanists for elements of the vascular flora of the country, and beyond, were produced by a small group of 69 taxonomists who were mostly based at institutions in one of three Portuguese cities: Coimbra, Lisboa (Lisbon) and Porto. In all three instances the individuals were associated with local herbaria that were managed by universities, while in Lisboa other government-sponsored projects and institutions additionally played a pivotal role in the production of complete or partial Floras for Portugal and its former colonies. These individuals are comprehensively tabulated and biographical information is provided for all of them. With 440 names published, Rosette Mercedes Saraiva Batarda Fernandes (1916 – 2005), who worked at the University of Coimbra, was the most prolific taxonomist in terms of publishing new names. She was the sole author of more than half of these names. Biographies are provided for the ten most prolific Portuguese authors of vascular plant names.