Hans Melchior

Hans Melchior (* August 5, 1894 in Berlin, † March 12, 1984 ) was a German botanist. His botanical author abbreviation is " Melch. ".

Life

Melchior studied 1916-1920 Natural Sciences and Botany at the University of Berlin and was established in 1920 under Gottlieb Haberlandt and Adolf Engler phil at the Institute of Plant Physiology to Dr.. doctorate. Subsequently, he was Engler's assistant at the Botanical Museum Berlin- Dahlem. In 1927 he became assistant professor in 1932 curator, Professor of Botany in 1940 and 1955 Scientific Oberrat at this institute. From 1957 until his retirement in 1959 he was acting director of the institute.

Melchior made ​​technical assistant in the Food Control and horticulture apprentices in botany. In 1948 he was appointed lecturer in botany and microscopic food studies at the Technical University of Berlin, where he was appointed in 1953 honorary professor.

Work

Among his many contributions to the taxonomy are his treatments of Medusagynaceae, Theaceae, Violaceae and Canellaceae for the second edition of The natural plant families of Adolf Engler & Carl Prantl, the publication as a Publisher with Erich Werdermann of Engler 's Syllabus of Plant Families (1954-1964) and as the last great contribution ( with Hans Kastner ) spices. Botanical and chemical examination (1974).

His main interest was the Violaceae, Theaceae and Bignoniaceae and, especially in his earlier years, the flora of the Alps, in which he was introduced as a student on outings with Engler. Melchior was a founding member of the I.A.P.T. (International Association for Plant Taxonomy ) and remained in this institution until his death. He was also editor of multiple scientific journals and anthologies.

Honors

The genus Melchiora Kobuski, synonymous with Balthasaria in the family Theaceae, is named after him.