Harold Norman Moldenke
Encyclopedia
Harold Norman Moldenke, also known as simply Moldenke (1909-1996) was an American botanist/taxonomist. His expertise is largely in the study of Verbenaceae
, Avicenniaceae, Stilbaceae
, Dicrastylidaceae, Symphoremaceae, Nyctanthaceae and Eriocaulaceae
.
from Susquehanna University
in 1929. Moldenke's career started at the New York Botanical Garden
, a place he maintained a close relationship with (donating many educational materials to its library). There, he worked as a Research Fellow and part-time assistant in 1929. He taught a course in Systematic
Botany
for gardeners there as well. For 16 years, he worked as the assistant and associate curator under Henry A. Gleason
. When Moldenke served in the Civilian Public Service
, Soil Conservation Service and as a hospital attendant in Warren, Pennsylvania, he wrote a number of papers on Amazonian curare-producing plants with B.A. Krukoff. These were entitled Plants Strategic to the War Effort. His herbarium is accommodated in the Moldenke Room at the Plant Resources Center.
. He was also a professor of botany at the now-named Kean University
in Union, New Jersey
, and taught enrichment courses at Westfield and Livingston Adult Schools
in New Jersey. In 1967, Moldenke left Trailside and accepted a professorship at the now-named William Paterson College. In 1984, he sold the most of his herbarium
, papers and books to the University of Texas. Moldenke died at Corvallis, Oregon
on January 7, 1996.
.
Verbenaceae
Verbenaceae, commonly known as the verbena family or vervain family, is a family of mainly tropical flowering plants. It contains trees, shrubs and herbs notable for heads, spikes, or clusters of small flowers, many of which have an aromatic smell.Recent phylogenetic studies have shown that...
, Avicenniaceae, Stilbaceae
Stilbaceae
Stilbaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales.Genera include:*Anastrabe E. Mey. ex Benth.*Bowkeria Harv.*Campylostachys Kunth*Charadrophila Marloth*Euthystachys A. DC.*Halleria L.*Ixianthes Benth....
, Dicrastylidaceae, Symphoremaceae, Nyctanthaceae and Eriocaulaceae
Eriocaulaceae
The Eriocaulaceae or pipewort family is a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the order Poales. The family is large, with about 1,150-1,200 species described in ten genera. The family is widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group occurring in tropical regions,...
.
Early life
Moldenke was born in Watchung, NJ in 1909, and earned a bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University is a liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States, north of the state capital, Harrisburg.-Academics:...
in 1929. Moldenke's career started at the New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden
- See also :* Education in New York City* List of botanical gardens in the United States* List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City- External links :* official website** blog*...
, a place he maintained a close relationship with (donating many educational materials to its library). There, he worked as a Research Fellow and part-time assistant in 1929. He taught a course in Systematic
Systematic
Systematic is an American hard rock band from Oakland, California. They were one of the first signings to Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich's record label, The Music Company, via Elektra Records. The band released two studio albums before disbanding in 2004....
Botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
for gardeners there as well. For 16 years, he worked as the assistant and associate curator under Henry A. Gleason
Henry Gleason
Henry Allan Gleason was a noted American ecologist, botanist, and taxonomist, most recognized for his endorsement of the individualistic/open community concept of ecological succession.- Life and work :...
. When Moldenke served in the Civilian Public Service
Civilian Public Service
The Civilian Public Service provided conscientious objectors in the United States an alternative to military service during World War II...
, Soil Conservation Service and as a hospital attendant in Warren, Pennsylvania, he wrote a number of papers on Amazonian curare-producing plants with B.A. Krukoff. These were entitled Plants Strategic to the War Effort. His herbarium is accommodated in the Moldenke Room at the Plant Resources Center.
Later career
In 1941, Moldenke, along with the collaboration of his wife, created the book Plants of the Bible after 12 years of research. Later, Moldenke took a job in botanical and ecological education as director of the now-named Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside, New JerseyMountainside, New Jersey
If you are looking for the community in Ontario, see Mountainside, Ontario.Mountainside is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States...
. He was also a professor of botany at the now-named Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
in Union, New Jersey
Union Township, Union County, New Jersey
Union is a Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms...
, and taught enrichment courses at Westfield and Livingston Adult Schools
Adult high school
An adult high school or adult school is a high school facility designed for adult education. It is intended for adults who have not completed high school to continue their education. Some adult high schools offer child care, special integration programs for immigrants and refugees, career...
in New Jersey. In 1967, Moldenke left Trailside and accepted a professorship at the now-named William Paterson College. In 1984, he sold the most of his herbarium
Herbarium
In botany, a herbarium – sometimes known by the Anglicized term herbar – is a collection of preserved plant specimens. These specimens may be whole plants or plant parts: these will usually be in a dried form, mounted on a sheet, but depending upon the material may also be kept in...
, papers and books to the University of Texas. Moldenke died at Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
on January 7, 1996.
Honors
In 1969, Moldenke was named an Honorary Life Member of the Torrey Botanical Club. In 1970, he was made Honorary Curator of New York Botanical GardenNew York Botanical Garden
- See also :* Education in New York City* List of botanical gardens in the United States* List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City- External links :* official website** blog*...
.