Rudolph Jacob Camerarius

views updated

Rudolph Jacob Camerarius

1665-1721

German botanist who is primarily remembered for establishing the existence of plant sexuality. In addition to identifying and defining the male and female reproductive parts of plants Camerarius described the function of these parts and the role of pollen in fertilization. He conducted pioneering experiments on heredity in plants. His publications On the Sex of Plants (1694) and Botanical Works (1697) are landmarks in the history of botany.

More From encyclopedia.com