Lela Viola Barton facts for kids

Lela Viola Barton (1901–1967) was an amazing American scientist. She was a botanist, which means she studied plants. Lela was especially interested in how seeds grow and how to keep them healthy for a long time.

Meet Lela Barton: A Plant Scientist

Growing Up in Arkansas

Lela Barton was born on November 14, 1901, in a town called Farmington, Arkansas. This was in Washington County, Arkansas. She was the third of five children in her family. Growing up in a place like Arkansas, Lela likely spent time outdoors. This might have sparked her early interest in plants and nature.

Her Work with Seeds

Lela Barton became a very important scientist. She worked at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research. This famous research center was located in Yonkers, New York. At the institute, Lela became an expert in seeds.

Her main work focused on two big areas:

• Seed Germination: This is the process where a seed starts to grow into a new plant. Lela studied exactly what seeds needed to sprout successfully. She looked at things like light, water, and temperature.
• Seed Storage: Lela also researched how to keep seeds alive and healthy for a very long time. This is super important for farming and for keeping rare plant species safe. Her work helped farmers save seeds for future crops. It also helped scientists protect plant diversity around the world.

Lela's research helped us understand how plants begin their lives. It also showed us how to store seeds so they can be planted many years later. Her discoveries were very helpful for agriculture and conservation.

Later Life and Legacy

Lela Barton passed away on July 31, 1967, when she was 66 years old. She died in Tucson, Arizona. She was buried in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at Fairview Memorial Gardens. Lela Barton's work continues to help scientists and farmers today. Her research on seeds made a lasting impact on how we grow and protect plants.