Eduard Friedrich Poeppig

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Eduard Friedrich Poeppig (July 16, 1798 - September 4, 1868) was a German botanist, zoologist and explorer who was born in Plauen. He is largely remembered for his scientific exploration throughout South America.

Between 1826 and 1832 Poeppig performed geographical, botanical and zoological studies in Chile, Peru and Brazil. During his time in these countries he described over 4,000 types of plants. He also investigated Incan ruins, and travelled the length of the Amazon River by raft and canoe. He was only the third European to make the entire 5,000 kilometer river journey; the first two being explorer Francisco de Orellana (1542) and geographer Charles Marie de La Condamine (1744). After returning to Europe, he became a professor at the University of Leipzig.

Numerous plant species are named after Poeppig, including Psychotria poeppigiana, Zamia poeppigiana, Erythrina poeppigiana, Diospyros poeppigiana and Geonoma poeppigiana.

[edit] Written works

• Fragmentum synopseos plantarum phanerogamarum, 1833
• Selbstanzeige der Reisebeschreibung in Blätter für literarische Unterhaltung, 1835
• Reise in Chile, Peru und auf dem Amazonenstrome während der Jahre 1827-1832 1827-1832, 1834-1836
• New facts genera AC of species plantarum quas in regno chilensi, peruviano 1835-1845 et in terra amazonica (together with Stephan Ladislaus)
• Ueber alte und neue handelswege nach der westküste Amerikas, 1838

The standard botanical author abbreviation Poepp. is applied to species he described.