Kathleen Anne Kron facts for kids

Kathleen Anne Kron, born in 1956, is a retired biology professor. She used to teach at Wake Forest University. Professor Kron is well-known for her studies on Ericaceae. This is a large family of flowering plants.

Her Education Journey

Kathleen Kron started her college studies at Michigan State University. She earned her first degree there in 1979. A few years later, in 1982, she received her master's degree from the same university.

She then went on to the University of Florida. In 1987, she completed her doctorate degree there. After many years of teaching and research, she retired in 2020. She was a full professor at Wake Forest University when she retired.

Studying Plants: The Ericaceae Family

Professor Kron led a research lab focused on plants. Her team studied how different flowering plants are related to each other. They used the Ericaceae family as a main example for their research.

This plant family includes many well-known plants. Some examples are blueberries, cranberries, and rhododendrons. Her work helped us understand the family tree of these plants.

Plants Named in Her Honor

Because of her important work, a plant was named after her. In 2011, a type of rhododendron was named Rhododendron kroniae Craven. This was a special way to honor her studies. It recognized her efforts in figuring out how plants in the Ericaceae family are connected.

Another plant, Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron & Judd, also carries her name. She worked with Walter Stephen Judd to update the work of an earlier botanist, Georg Christian Oeder.

Why Her Name is Important in Botany

When scientists discover or describe new plants, they often add their name. This is called an "author abbreviation." It shows who first officially named or described a plant.

For Kathleen Kron, the short form Kron is used. So, if you see a plant name followed by "Kron," it means she was involved in its scientific naming. This is a common practice in the world of plant science.