Werner Rothmaler: The Legacy of a Master Botanist
Werner Walter Hugo Paul Rothmaler (1908–1962) was a distinguished German botanist whose contributions to plant geography (the study of the geographic distribution of plant species) and systematics (the study of the diversification of biological lineages) left an indelible mark on European botany. From his early struggles with formal education to his tenure as the head of the Institute for Agricultural Biology at the University of Greifswald, Rothmaler's life was a testament to passion and perseverance.
Key Facts
- Primary Expertise: Plant geography and systematics.
- Major Work: Author of the Exkursionsflora von Deutschland, a definitive guide for plant identification.
- Academic Leadership: Head of the Institute for Agricultural Biology at the University of Greifswald (1953–1962).
- Scientific Contribution: Active participant in the Flora Europaea project.
- Honors: Recipient of the silver Patriotic Order of Merit (1958).
Early Life and Unconventional Path to Science
Rothmaler's journey into botany was far from linear. While attending the Wilhelm-Ernst-Gymnasium in Weimar, his interests spanned painting, politics, and botany. Influenced by the Bauhaus movement and friendships with the family of artist Lyonel Feininger, he often clashed with school authorities, eventually leaving without his abitur (university entrance qualification).
Undeterred, he pursued a gardening apprenticeship at Schloss Belvedere in Weimar and later in Potsdam. It was in Potsdam that he met Ludwig Diels, the Director of the Botanical Museum and Botanical Garden in Berlin-Dahlem. Because he lacked formal qualifications, Rothmaler began as a working student in Jena under the guidance of botanists Theodor Herzog, Otto Renner, and Erwin Bünning.
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Exile and International Experience
Political turmoil forced Rothmaler to leave Germany in 1933 due to his membership in the Communist Party (KPD). With the help of Ludwig Diels, he joined a botanical expedition to Spain, which evolved into a multi-year residency. During this time, he worked at various pharmaceutical and botanical institutions, including the University of Barcelona with Pius Font i Quer, where he developed a profound knowledge of Spanish flora and edited the Alchemillae exsiccatae (1938), a series of dried plant specimens.
The Spanish Civil War eventually pushed him into Portugal, where he worked at the National Agricultural Research Centre in Lisbon. However, in 1940, he and his wife were forcibly repatriated to Germany. After a brief internment near Metz and a short stint in the army—from which he was released due to pulmonary tuberculosis—he worked at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Biology in Berlin under Fritz von Wettstein.
Academic Ascent and Professional Achievements
Rothmaler finally overcame his lack of matriculation requirements in 1943, graduating from the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Berlin with a thesis on the vegetation of Southwestern Portugal. Following World War II, he held a leadership position at the Gatersleben estate, a research group that preceded the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research.
He earned his doctorate from the University of Halle in 1947 with research on the genus Lachemilla. By 1950, he had become a full Professor in Halle and published two seminal works: Allgemeine Taxonomie und Chorologie der Pflanzen (General taxonomy and chorology of plants) and the first edition of his Exkursionsflora.
In 1953, he moved to Greifswald to lead the Institute for Agricultural Biology. Beyond his research, he fostered the next generation of scientists by establishing the "Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck" student scientific circle for those interested in field biology and environmental matters. He also served as the founding President of the GDR's Society for the dissemination of scientific knowledge from 1954 until his death.
The 'Rothmaler' Flora and Botanical Works
Rothmaler authored over 190 publications, but he is most famous for the Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Originally published in three volumes in 1966, the work has expanded into a five-volume set known simply as "the Rothmaler" among botanists.
| Volume | Content Focus | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | Lower plants | Foundational non-vascular plants |
| Volume 2 | Vascular plants (Main) | Primary identification text |
| Volume 3 | Vascular plants (Illustrations) | Line drawings of 2,800 species |
| Volume 4 | Critical volume | Detailed subspecies, varieties, and ecotypes |
| Volume 5 | Ornamental and useful plants | Identification of cultivated herbaceous plants (2008) |
Botanical Honors and Legacy
Rothmaler's contributions are immortalized in the names of various taxa. The genus Rothmaleria (specifically Rothmaleria granatensis) from the daisy family (Asteraceae) was named in his honor. Numerous other species and hybrids bear his name, including Alchemilla rothmaleri, Lupinus rothmaleri, and the fungal species Phyllosticta rothmaleri.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Exkursionsflora von Deutschland?
It is a comprehensive identification guide for German plants. It is particularly valued for its third volume, which provides line drawings for 2,800 species, making it a unique and essential resource for accurate species identification.
How did Rothmaler enter university despite lacking an abitur?
After years of practical experience in gardening and working as a student under established botanists, he managed to obtain an exemption from matriculation requirements in 1943, allowing him to graduate from the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Berlin.
What was the 'Lamarck Circle'?
Established by Rothmaler in 1953 at the University of Greifswald, the "Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck" scientific circle was a group for students interested in field biology, zoology, botany, and environmental issues.
Which plant genus is named after Werner Rothmaler?
The genus Rothmaleria, belonging to the Asteraceae (daisy) family, was named in his honor by Font Quer.
What role did Rothmaler play in European botany beyond Germany?
He was an active participant in the Flora Europaea project and spent significant years in Spain and Portugal, where he developed an expert knowledge of the Iberian Peninsula's flora.