Benjamín Máximo Laguna y Villanueva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamín Máximo Laguna y Villanueva
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| Born | December 2, 1822 |
| Died | January 3, 1902 (aged 79) |
| Alma mater | Royal Saxon Academy of Forestry |
| Awards | Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Botany, Entomology |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | Laguna |
Benjamín Máximo Laguna y Villanueva (born December 2, 1822 – died January 3, 1902) was an important Spanish scientist. He was a botanist, meaning he studied plants, and an entomologist, which means he studied insects.
While people usually called him "Laguna," sometimes his full name, "Laguna y Villanueva," was used.
Contents
Becoming a Scientist: Máximo Laguna's Education
Máximo Laguna was born in a town called Santa Cruz de Mudela in Spain. In 1848, he joined a special school in Spain for forestry. This school taught people how to manage forests.
He then received a scholarship to continue his studies in Germany. There, he attended the Royal Saxon Academy of Forestry near Dresden. This helped him learn even more about plants and trees.
Exploring Nature: Máximo Laguna's Research
Máximo Laguna was very interested in different types of plants. He studied Pteridophytes, which are plants like ferns, and Spermatophytes, which are plants that produce seeds.
Studying Spanish Forests
He wrote many books and papers about the plants found in Spanish forests. His work helped people understand the trees and plants growing in Spain.
Plants from Far Away Lands
Máximo Laguna also studied plants from the Philippines. At that time, the Philippines was a Spanish territory. Even though he never visited the country himself, he studied plant samples collected by others.
For example, he described a tree called Quercus jordanae. This tree was found in Luzon, a large island in the Philippines. Later, scientists reclassified this tree into a different group called Lithocarpus.
Insects and Trees
Máximo Laguna's interest in insects was connected to his love for trees. He studied how insects affected trees and forests. This was important for keeping forests healthy.
Honors and Lasting Impact
Máximo Laguna was recognized for his important work.
- He became a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences. This is a very respected group of scientists in Spain.
- A school in his hometown is named after him.
- An Arboretum (a special garden for trees) was planted in 1997 to honor him. It is called the “Máximo Laguna” Arboretum and is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains. This area is now part of a Biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO.
