Pehr Löfling facts for kids

Pehr Löfling (born January 31, 1729 – died February 22, 1756) was a Swedish scientist who studied plants (a botanist). He was also a special student and helper of the famous Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus. Linnaeus was known for creating the system we use today to name living things.

About Pehr Löfling's Life

Pehr Löfling was born in Tolvfors Bruk, Gävle, Sweden. He went to Uppsala University where he learned from Carl Linnaeus. Linnaeus was his teacher and mentor.

In 1751, the Spanish ambassador asked Linnaeus to choose a botanist. This botanist would go to the American colonies. Linnaeus immediately chose Pehr Löfling for this important job. Löfling first traveled to Spain to learn the Spanish language.

In February 1754, he sailed to South America with other scientists. At that time, a treaty had set the borders between the Spanish and Portuguese colonies. Löfling joined a project in Cumaná, Venezuela. This project was called the Expedicion de Limites al Orinoco. Its goal was to map the border with Brazil.

Löfling was put in charge of the natural history part of the expedition. His job was to study the plants and animals of the region. He also looked at other natural resources. Two young Spanish doctors helped him with his work. He stayed with this expedition for the rest of his life.

Pehr Löfling died in a faraway mission called San Antonio de Caroni. This place was on the banks of the Caroní River in Venezuela. It was near the city now known as Ciudad Guayana. His death was a big loss for natural history and especially for botany. Carl Linnaeus felt that his death was a huge setback. Löfling's two assistants saved his notes and writings after he passed away.

Pehr Löfling's Legacy

Pehr Löfling left an important mark on science. In 1753, Carl Linnaeus named a group of plants Loeflingia after him. One type of Loeflingia plant grows in Spain. Another type grows in Spanish America.

Later, in 1923, a scientist named Sprague also honored Löfling. He named a plant genus from South America Pehria. This plant group also got its name from Pehr Löfling.

Venezuelan birds at Parque Loefling

There is a park in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, named after him. It is called Parque Löefling. This park even has a zoo inside it.

Published Works

After Pehr Löfling died, Carl Linnaeus published his writings. This book was called Iter Hispanicum, eller resa til Spanska Länderna uti Europa och America 1751 til 1756. It was published in 1758. The book described Löfling's travels and discoveries in Spain and America.

See also

In Spanish: Pehr Löfling para niños