Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Characters in Arctostaphylos taxonomy

December 1, 2017

There is value in understanding the past and how it has affected the present. Science focuses on empirical findings, and we know that our prior experiences and those of our predecessors play important roles in determining how we interpret the present. We learn from accomplishments and foibles of predecessors and appreciate the real life experiences we have gone through. In our studies of the genus Arctostaphylos Adans. we have been struck by the fascinating stories surrounding taxonomists who have played roles in the development of our current understanding of the group. In addition to providing insights, they sometimes provide humor and lessons on the value of competition versus collaboration. We offer this history of the humans that forged the taxonomy behind Arctostaphylos classification in this light.

Publication Year 2017
Title Characters in Arctostaphylos taxonomy
DOI 10.3120/0024-9637-64.4.138
Authors Jon E. Keeley, V. Thomas Parker, Michael C. Vasey
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Madroño
Index ID 70195025
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Western Ecological Research Center
Was this page helpful?