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The last plant hunting expedition of David Fairchild: Venezuela and Colombia (March–April 1948)

Abstract:

In March and April 1948, David Fairchild undertook a plant hunting expedition to Venezuela and Colombia. His wife, Marian, accompanied him on this, his last official plant exploration endeavor. A total of 62 plant samples (41 from Venezuela and 21 from Colombia) were collected. In addition, 55 photographs (41 from Venezuela and 14 from Colombia) were taken during this trip. A review of the objectives and results of this expedition is provided, based primarily on archival documents found in Miami (the Archives and Library of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden). The Swiss tropical botanist Henri François Pittier was instrumental in the development of field activities in Venezuela. There, David Fairchild extensively interacted with Pittier’s disciples and with several foreign naturalists who were working for the Venezuelan government in agriculture and natural resource programs. The Colombian component of this expedition had a more limited scope, among other reasons because the visit coincided with major street demonstrations following the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, who was running as a candidate for the country’s presidency.