Antoine Nicolas Duchesne

Antoine Nicolas Duchesne

Antoine Nicolas Duchesne (born 7 October 1747 Versailles; died 18 February 1827 Paris) was a French botanist known for his keen observation of variation within species, and for demonstrating that species are not immutable, because mutations can occur.[1] "As Duchesne's observations were unaided by knowledge of modern concepts of genetics and molecular biology, his insight was truly remarkable."[2] His particular interests were in strawberries and gourds.

Duchesne worked in the gardens of Versailles, where he was a student of Bernard de Jussieu,[1] and where he established a notable collection of strawberries in the botanical garden of the Petit Trianon.

The genus Duchesnea Sm. (Rosaceae) was named after him.

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