Walter Davis (botanist)
Encyclopedia
Walter Davis was an English plant collector
, who collected in South America for James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London
.
, near Andover, Hampshire
. According to Hortus Veitchii, he "inherited from his father a taste for Natural History
and outdoor pursuits, which later took the form of a love of gardening". At 12 years old, he left school and started work in the gardens of the Marquess of Winchester at Amport House
; the house had been rebuilt in 1857, and the gardens were being re-modelled. He then moved to Wilton Park
Gardens, at Beaconsfield
where he stayed for four years, rising to the rank of departmental foreman.
His travels then took him to work for Mr. C. Ryder at Slade, Kent followed by a spell at the gardens of Mr. T. W. Evans at Allestree Hall
, Derby
, before, in 1870, he joined James Veitch & Sons at Chelsea, London
.
and fine foliage plants. In 1873, following the departures of George Downton and A. R. Endres, Harry Veitch
was looking for a plant collector to travel to South America to locate and collect a quantity of the orchid, Masdevallia veitchiana
, which had been introduced to England in 1867, following its discovery by Richard Pearce
but was still scarce. Veitch selected Davis, and on 2 August 1873 he departed for South America.
He remained in South America for three years, during which time he crossed the Andean Cordilleras in Peru, Colombia
and Bolivia
at least twenty times, at elevations of up to 17000 feet (5,181.6 m) and, like his predecessor Gustav Wallis
he traversed the continent, travelling the entire length of the Amazon River
.
During his trip, he was successful not only in collecting M. veitchiana but several other species
of the genus
, including the graceful violet-blue M. ionocharis
(which he found in the Andean valley of Sandia, in the province of Carabaya
, Peru, at 9000 ft (2,743.2 m) elevation) and the golden-yellow M. davisii
(the Incas' Qoriwaqanki or "golden waqanki"), which Davis discovered in the vicinity of Cusco
, Peru. He sent flowers to Heinrich Reichenbach
for identification; in The Gardeners' Chronicle
, Reichenbach described this new species as "M. davisii", saying:
Near Arequipa
in Peru, he also discovered a new species of tuberous begonia, Begonia davisii
, which was also named after him. B. davisii was later used in the early days of breeding Begonia × tuberhybrida
cultivars by John Seden
in the Veitch Nurseries
at Coombe Wood
.
on the experimental plots at Rothamsted
. He returned to Chelsea on the termination of this engagement and re-commenced employment for Veitch Nurseries, working in the plant propagation
department. He became a specialist in this field, and wrote for the Exchange & Mart for many years under the pseudonyms of Charles Benett (using his mother's maiden name) and Curiosus.
and then the Royal Geographical Society
. He also acted as secretary to a philanthropic society managed by American women in London.
Following a paralytic stroke which led to failing eyesight, Davis spent the last ten years of his life in retirement, in the care of his eldest daughter, in Fulham
. He died on 18 November 1930, and his obituary in the Journal of Botany
praised his contribution to botany: "with his passing the world of orchidology bids farewell to one of the last reminders of an elegant and exciting period in orchid discovery and cultivation".
Plant collecting
Plant collecting involves procuring live or dried plant specimens, for the purposes of research, cultivation or as a hobby.-Collection of live specimens:...
, who collected in South America for James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
.
Early life
Davis was born at Sarson Street, now part of AmportAmport
Amport is a small village and civil parish in the Test Valley district of NW Hampshire, England, a few miles west of Andover. It incorporates the small hamlet of East Cholderton and has a population of about 800....
, near Andover, Hampshire
Andover, Hampshire
Andover is a town in the English county of Hampshire. The town is on the River Anton some 18.5 miles west of the town of Basingstoke, 18.5 miles north-west of the city of Winchester and 25 miles north of the city of Southampton...
. According to Hortus Veitchii, he "inherited from his father a taste for Natural History
Natural History
Natural history is the scientific study of plants or animals.Natural History may also refer to:In science and medicine:* Natural History , Naturalis Historia, a 1st-century work by Pliny the Elder...
and outdoor pursuits, which later took the form of a love of gardening". At 12 years old, he left school and started work in the gardens of the Marquess of Winchester at Amport House
Amport House
Amport House, currently the British Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre , is a manor house in the village of Amport, near Andover, Hampshire....
; the house had been rebuilt in 1857, and the gardens were being re-modelled. He then moved to Wilton Park
Wilton Park
Wilton Park is an executive agency of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is a non-profit-making organisation holding discussions on global security and prosperity....
Gardens, at Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield is a market town and civil parish operating as a town council within the South Bucks district in Buckinghamshire, England. It lies northwest of Charing Cross in Central London, and south-east of the county town of Aylesbury...
where he stayed for four years, rising to the rank of departmental foreman.
His travels then took him to work for Mr. C. Ryder at Slade, Kent followed by a spell at the gardens of Mr. T. W. Evans at Allestree Hall
Allestree Hall
Allestree Hall is a 19th century former country house situated in Allestree Park, Allestree, Derby. It is a Grade II* listed building but has been unoccupied for many years, and has been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register now the Heritage at Risk Register.The Mundy family owned the Manor of...
, Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, before, in 1870, he joined James Veitch & Sons at Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
.
James Veitch & Sons
At Chelsea, he worked under John Dominy in the "New Plant Department" and eventually became foreman in charge of the nepenthesNepenthes
The Nepenthes , popularly known as tropical pitcher plants or monkey cups, are a genus of carnivorous plants in the monotypic family Nepenthaceae. The genus comprises roughly 130 species, numerous natural and many cultivated hybrids...
and fine foliage plants. In 1873, following the departures of George Downton and A. R. Endres, Harry Veitch
Harry Veitch
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London...
was looking for a plant collector to travel to South America to locate and collect a quantity of the orchid, Masdevallia veitchiana
Masdevallia veitchiana
Masdevallia veitchiana, also known as Veitch's Masdevallia or King of the Masdevallias, is a species of the Masdevallia genus of orchids....
, which had been introduced to England in 1867, following its discovery by Richard Pearce
Richard Pearce (botanist)
Richard Pearce was a Victorian plant collector, who introduced the tuberous begonia to England, which led to the development of the hybrid begonias grown today.-Early career:Pearce was born at Stoke, Devonport in Devon...
but was still scarce. Veitch selected Davis, and on 2 August 1873 he departed for South America.
He remained in South America for three years, during which time he crossed the Andean Cordilleras in Peru, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
at least twenty times, at elevations of up to 17000 feet (5,181.6 m) and, like his predecessor Gustav Wallis
Gustav Wallis
Gustav Wallis was a German plant collector, who introduced over 1,000 plant species to Europe, many of which were named after him.-Early life:...
he traversed the continent, travelling the entire length of the Amazon River
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
.
During his trip, he was successful not only in collecting M. veitchiana but several other species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
, including the graceful violet-blue M. ionocharis
Masdevallia ionocharis
Masdevallia ionocharis is an epiphytic orchid in the Masdevallia genus of orchids. Its name is derived from the Greek words ion meaning violet and charis meaning grace....
(which he found in the Andean valley of Sandia, in the province of Carabaya
Carabaya Province
Carabaya Province is a province of the Puno Region in Peru. The capital of the province is the city of Macusani.- Political division :The province measures and is divided into ten districts:- External links :...
, Peru, at 9000 ft (2,743.2 m) elevation) and the golden-yellow M. davisii
Masdevallia davisii
Masdevallia davisii is a species of the Masdevallia genus of orchids. It is also known as the Orchid of the Sun and was known to the Incas as qoriwaqanki – due to its similarity in form to the red Masdevallia veitchiana, known as waqanki.It was named after Walter Davis who discovered it near...
(the Incas' Qoriwaqanki or "golden waqanki"), which Davis discovered in the vicinity of Cusco
Cusco
Cusco , often spelled Cuzco , is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cuzco Province. In 2007, the city had a population of 358,935 which was triple the figure of 20 years ago...
, Peru. He sent flowers to Heinrich Reichenbach
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach was an ornithologist, botanist and the foremost German orchidologist of the 19th century...
for identification; in The Gardeners' Chronicle
The Gardeners' Chronicle
The Gardeners' Chronicle was a British horticulture periodical. It lasted as a title in its own right for nearly 150 years and is still extant as part of the magazine Horticulture Week....
, Reichenbach described this new species as "M. davisii", saying:
"This is a beautiful thing, much like M. harryana and veitchianaMasdevallia veitchianaMasdevallia veitchiana, also known as Veitch's Masdevallia or King of the Masdevallias, is a species of the Masdevallia genus of orchids....
.... The other parts of the flower are yellowish, white and of the deepest splendid orange inside; so that it would appear to give a most welcome contrast in a group of the scarlet and vermillion and white Masdevallias. It was discovered by a, most probably new collector, Mr. W. Davis... I have a very good opinion of this collector, who was introduced to me by a set of new dried Orchids; so I thought it my duty to attach the name of such a promising collector to such a welcome Masdevallia."
Near Arequipa
Arequipa
Arequipa is the capital city of the Arequipa Region in southern Peru. With a population of 836,859 it is the second most populous city of the country...
in Peru, he also discovered a new species of tuberous begonia, Begonia davisii
Begonia davisii
Begonia davisii is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was used in the early days of breeding Begonia × tuberhybrida cultivars....
, which was also named after him. B. davisii was later used in the early days of breeding Begonia × tuberhybrida
Begonia × tuberhybrida
Tuberous begonias are a group of Begonia cultivars, regarded as some of the most spectacular of the genus....
cultivars by John Seden
John Seden
John Seden was a famous hybridist and horticulturalist best known for the hybrids he created while in the employment of Veitch nurseries. He was trained in hybridizing by John Dominy in 1861. In 1873 he began hybridizing tuberous begonias which in turn formed the basis from which modern garden...
in the Veitch Nurseries
Veitch Nurseries
The Veitch Nurseries were the largest group of family-run plant nurseries in Europe during the 19th century. Started by John Veitch sometime before 1808, the original nursery grew substantially over several decades and was eventually split into two separate businesses - based at Chelsea and...
at Coombe Wood
Coombe Wood
Coombe Wood is a small woodland and garden area in the old village of Coombe, Upper Shirley, in the London Borough of Croydon near the junction of Coombe Lane and Conduit Lane...
.
Return to England
On his return to England in 1877, Davis was selected to conduct a botanical analysis of herbageHerbaceous plant
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
on the experimental plots at Rothamsted
Rothamsted Experimental Station
The Rothamsted Experimental Station, one of the oldest agricultural research institutions in the world, is located at Harpenden in Hertfordshire, England. It is now known as Rothamsted Research...
. He returned to Chelsea on the termination of this engagement and re-commenced employment for Veitch Nurseries, working in the plant propagation
Plant propagation
Plant propagation is the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts. Plant propagation can also refer to the artificial or natural dispersal of plants.-Sexual propagation :...
department. He became a specialist in this field, and wrote for the Exchange & Mart for many years under the pseudonyms of Charles Benett (using his mother's maiden name) and Curiosus.
Later life
Davis continued to work for James Veitch & Sons until the dissolution of the business in 1914, after which he became secretary to the Geological SocietyGeological Society of London
The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"...
and then the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
. He also acted as secretary to a philanthropic society managed by American women in London.
Following a paralytic stroke which led to failing eyesight, Davis spent the last ten years of his life in retirement, in the care of his eldest daughter, in Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
. He died on 18 November 1930, and his obituary in the Journal of Botany
Journal of Botany, British and Foreign
Journal of Botany, British and Foreign is a monthly journal that was edited by Berthold Carl Seemann between 1863–1871....
praised his contribution to botany: "with his passing the world of orchidology bids farewell to one of the last reminders of an elegant and exciting period in orchid discovery and cultivation".
Publications
- Plant Propagation (1922) – "Description of the various methods employed by both amateur and professional gardeners."
External links
- Article on www.orchids.co.in
- http://asaweb.huh.harvard.edu:8080/databases/botanists?id=126508Entry on Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
Herbarium Index of Botanists]