Joseph Burke (botanist)

Joseph Burke (1812 – 1873) was an English botanist and plant collector who significantly contributed to the botanical knowledge of South Africa during the 19th century. Born in Thwaite, Suffolk, England, Burke began his career as a gardener. He is best known for his extensive collecting expeditions undertaken with Charles Zeyher, during which they explored a wide range of regions including the Magaliesberg, the Witwatersrand, and areas near present-day Pretoria.

Burke's meticulous collections yielded numerous new plant species, many of which were subsequently described and named by prominent botanists of the time. He faced considerable hardships during his travels, including disease and logistical challenges, yet he persevered in his botanical pursuits. His contributions greatly enhanced the understanding of South Africa's diverse flora.

While a significant number of specimens were gathered alongside Zeyher, Burke also collected independently. His collections are now housed in various herbaria around the world, providing valuable resources for botanical research. Despite the importance of his work, relatively little personal detail about Burke’s life is widely known beyond his collecting activities. He died in 1873.