Department of Botany

Dr. José Cuatrecasas was a pioneering botanist and taxonomist who spent nearly a half century working in the Department of Botany at the Smithsonian Institution. His research, especially in the flowering plant family Asteraceae, was devoted to the classification, biogeography, exploration, and ecology of plants of the paramo and subparamo regions of Andean South America. Out of enduring respect and admiration for Don José, The National Museum of Natural History has established the José Cuatrecasas Medal for Excellence in Tropical Botany. This medal is presented annually to a botanist and scholar of international stature who has contributed significantly to advancing the field of tropical botany. The award will serve to keep vibrant the accomplishments and memory of this outstanding scientist.

2008 -

Mireya Correa

2006 -

Sherwin Carlquist

2005 -

Jerzy Rzedowski and
Graciela Calderón de Rzedowski

2004 -

David Mabberley

2003 -

John Beaman

2002 -

P. Barry Tomlinson

2001 -

Rogers McVaugh