Celebrating the Brilliant Young Swedish Botanist Peter Forsskal Who Died of Malaria in Yemen
"Linnaeus said this wild desert plant, a member of the non-stinging nettles genus, was as stubborn and persistent as Peter himself."
January 11, 1732
Today is the birthday of the Swedish-speaking Finnish explorer, naturalist, botanist, and an apostle of Carl Linnaeus, Peter Forsskål ("Pee-ah-tur Forsh-COOL").
Peter was the naturalist on the Royal Danish Expedition to Arabia.
During his short lifetime, Peter identified a large number of species.
Peter’s plant descriptions were thorough and detailed, showing his sensitivity to Arabic culture and language.
Sadly, Peter died of malaria in 1763 in Yemen. In fact, almost all the members of this expedition tragically died on the trip.
Out of mourning for his young student, Linnaeus named a shrub species, Forsskaolea tenacissima ("Forsh-COOL-ee-ah Ten-ah-CY-uh-mah"), to honor Peter.
Linnaeus said this wild desert plant, a member of the non-stinging nettles genus, was as stubborn and persistent as Peter himself.
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