Scientists who study plants are called botanists
Botanists are people who study botany (the science of studying plant biology) and conduct research base on their studies. Apart from plants, they also study fungi and algae. Conducting research on fossilized plants is the job of those botanists who have specialized knowledge in paleobotany. Botanists possess specific knowledge in ethnobotany which is the study of the use of plants by different cultures. Identification and classification of new species of plants are some of the important segments of a botanist’s work. Scientific study of plants helps us to comprehend the effect of plants on human and animals. Their study also works to determine the medicinal effect of any plant. Armed with modern scientific equipment, botanists conduct studies into the genetic structure of specific plants. To investigate the effects of various environmental factors like temperature, sunlight, soil and rainfall on plants is a part of a botanist’s profession. By using biochemical and molecular techniques, botanists also examine the nature of evolution of plants. Based on their findings, they prepare scientific reports and papers. They play a key role in developing drugs and other products from plants. Their study plays a vital role in controlling the factors of pollution in nature. What follows is a collection of the biographies, timelines, trivia and other information about the professional and personal lives of some of the world’s most famous botanists.