Peter Taylor (botanist)

Peter Taylor (1926 – 2011) was a British botanist who specialized in the study of carnivorous plants, particularly the genus Utricularia (bladderworts). He made significant contributions to the taxonomy and nomenclature of these plants, authoring or co-authoring numerous species descriptions and taxonomic revisions.

Taylor joined the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in 1948 and remained there for his entire career. He was a key figure in the Kew herbarium, contributing significantly to its collection of Utricularia specimens. He was also involved in various expeditions to collect plant material, including trips to Africa and South America.

His most significant work is considered to be The Genus Utricularia - A Taxonomic Monograph, published in 1989. This comprehensive monograph provides a detailed account of all known Utricularia species, including descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and taxonomic keys. It remains a standard reference for researchers and enthusiasts interested in this fascinating group of plants.

Beyond Utricularia, Taylor also contributed to the study of other carnivorous plant genera, such as Genlisea and Pinguicula, and more broadly to the flora of tropical regions. His work helped to clarify the relationships between different species and to understand the evolutionary history of carnivorous plants. He is commemorated in the names of several plant species.