Hu Xiansu
Encyclopedia
Hu Xiansu was a Chinese botanist and an influential traditional scholar of his time. He was a founder of plant taxonomy
in China and a pioneer of modern botany
research in the country.
Along with his colleagues of the Science Society of China
, Hu was a key leader of the first biological research institute in the country, and played an important role in founding the Botanical Society of China. He established the first plantation for botanical research at Mount Lu in Jiangxi
, and initiated or conducted large-scale survey of flora
of China.
Between 1940 and 1944, he was the founding president of National Chung Cheng University
(later known as National Nanchang University). In the 1940s, he played a key role, along with Wan Chun Cheng
, in identifying and naming a new living species of Metasequoia
previously known only from fossils, in Sichuan
, China
.
In the 1950s, Hu was openly critical of Lysenko
's anti-Mendelian doctrines in genetics
and agricultural practices, despite heavy Soviet influences and political pressures at that time.
Plant taxonomy
Plant taxonomy is the science that finds, describes, classifies, identifies, and names plants. It thus is one of the main branches of taxonomy.Plant taxonomy is closely allied to plant systematics, and there is no sharp boundary between the two...
in China and a pioneer of modern botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
research in the country.
Along with his colleagues of the Science Society of China
Science Society of China
The Science Society of China was a major science organization in the modern history of China. It was initiated by Chinese students at Cornell University in 1914 and later renamed Science Society of China. In 1915 it began publication in China of a major journal, Kexue , which was patterned on the...
, Hu was a key leader of the first biological research institute in the country, and played an important role in founding the Botanical Society of China. He established the first plantation for botanical research at Mount Lu in Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
, and initiated or conducted large-scale survey of flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
of China.
Between 1940 and 1944, he was the founding president of National Chung Cheng University
National Chung Cheng University
National Chung Cheng University , abbreviated CCU, is a public research university located in Minhsiung, Chiayi County, Taiwan. It is distinctive among universities in Taiwan in that it is dedicated to the core humanities and the basic sciences, both natural and social...
(later known as National Nanchang University). In the 1940s, he played a key role, along with Wan Chun Cheng
Wan Chun Cheng
Professor Wan Chun Cheng was one of the most eminent Chinese botanists of the 20th century. Initially one of the Chinese plant collectors who followed in the wake of the Europeans after 1920, he became one of the world's leading authorities on the taxonomy of gymnosperms...
, in identifying and naming a new living species of Metasequoia
Metasequoia
Metasequoia is a fast-growing, deciduous tree, and the sole living species, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, is one of three species of conifers known as redwoods. It is native to the Sichuan-Hubei region of China. Although the least tall of the redwoods, it grows to at least 200 feet in height...
previously known only from fossils, in Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
In the 1950s, Hu was openly critical of Lysenko
Trofim Lysenko
Trofim Denisovich Lysenko was a Soviet agronomist of Ukrainian origin, who was director of Soviet biology under Joseph Stalin. Lysenko rejected Mendelian genetics in favor of the hybridization theories of Russian horticulturist Ivan Vladimirovich Michurin, and adopted them into a powerful...
's anti-Mendelian doctrines in genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
and agricultural practices, despite heavy Soviet influences and political pressures at that time.