Roger Heim
Encyclopedia
Roger Heim was a French botanist specialising in mycology
and tropical phytopathology
. He was known for his studies describing the anatomy of the mushroom hymenium
, the systematics and phylogeny of higher fungi (especially the related genera Lactarius
and Russula
, the Russulales
and Secotium
), the mycology of tropical fungi such as Termitomyces
, as well as ethnomycological work on hallucinogenic fungi, like Psilocybe
and Stropharia
. In his career he published over 560 articles, scientific reviews, and major works in fields like botany
, chemistry
, education
, forestry
, horticulture
, liberal arts
, medicine
and zoology
.
(D.Sc., 1931) and Uppsala University
, Sweden (Hon. Ph.D.) and went on to become the director of the French National Museum of Natural History, a post he held from 1951 to 1965. In this period of time, he presided the 8th International Botanical Congress held in Paris in 1954.
Among the many awards Heim received in his lifetime, he was a Grand Officier de la Légion d'Honneur
and Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
.
Heim studied with ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson in Mexico, where they collected and identified various species of family Strophariaceae and genus
Psilocybe. Heim was able to later cultivate some of the hallucinogenic mushroom in his laboratory, and he and Wasson would supply mushrooms to several chemistry laboratories for analysis. Albert Hofmann
at Sandoz Laboratories in Basle, Switzerland
, later isolated and characterized the compounds psilocybin
and psilocin
.
He was also a member of the French Académie d'agriculture and the Académie d'architecture.
He was awarded the Darwin-Wallace Medal
in 1958 and appointed an Honorary Member of the Mycological Society of America
in 1973.
Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals , food and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or...
and tropical phytopathology
Phytopathology
Plant pathology is the scientific study of plant diseases caused by pathogens and environmental conditions . Organisms that cause infectious disease include fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, viroids, virus-like organisms, phytoplasmas, protozoa, nematodes and parasitic plants...
. He was known for his studies describing the anatomy of the mushroom hymenium
Hymenium
The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In some species all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or...
, the systematics and phylogeny of higher fungi (especially the related genera Lactarius
Lactarius
Lactarius is a genus of mushroom-producing fungi. The genus, collectively known commonly as milk-caps, are characterized by the fact that they exude a milky fluid if cut or damaged...
and Russula
Russula
Around 750 worldwide species of mycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored - making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors...
, the Russulales
Russulales
The Russulales are an order of the Agaricomycetes,...
and Secotium
Secotium
Secotium is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae.The members of this genus are closely related to ordinary Agaricus mushrooms, but do not open out in the usual way; this has given rise to the term "secotioid" for such mushrooms in general...
), the mycology of tropical fungi such as Termitomyces
Termitomyces
Termitomyces is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are about 30 species in the genus. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, the Macrotermitinae, who enjoy an obligate symbiosis with the genus similar to that between Atta and Attamyces...
, as well as ethnomycological work on hallucinogenic fungi, like Psilocybe
Psilocybe
Psilocybe is a genus of small mushrooms growing worldwide. This genus is best known for its species with psychedelic or hallucinogenic properties, widely known as "magic mushrooms", though the majority of species do not contain hallucinogenic compounds...
and Stropharia
Stropharia
The genus Stropharia is a group of medium to large agarics with a distinct membranous ring on the stipe. The scientific name is derived from the Greek 'στροφος/strophos' meaning "belt", in reference to it...
. In his career he published over 560 articles, scientific reviews, and major works in fields like 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...
, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
, horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
, liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
, medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
.
Career
Heim studied at the University of ParisUniversity of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
(D.Sc., 1931) and Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, Sweden (Hon. Ph.D.) and went on to become the director of the French National Museum of Natural History, a post he held from 1951 to 1965. In this period of time, he presided the 8th International Botanical Congress held in Paris in 1954.
Among the many awards Heim received in his lifetime, he was a Grand Officier de la Légion d'Honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
and Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
.
Heim studied with ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson in Mexico, where they collected and identified various species of family Strophariaceae and genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Psilocybe. Heim was able to later cultivate some of the hallucinogenic mushroom in his laboratory, and he and Wasson would supply mushrooms to several chemistry laboratories for analysis. Albert Hofmann
Albert Hofmann
Albert Hofmann was a Swiss scientist known best for being the first person to synthesize, ingest and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide . He authored more than 100 scientific articles and a number of books, including LSD: My Problem Child...
at Sandoz Laboratories in Basle, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, later isolated and characterized the compounds psilocybin
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug, with mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and mescaline, after it is converted to psilocin. The effects can include altered thinking processes, perceptual distortions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences, as well as...
and psilocin
Psilocin
Psilocin , an aromatic compound, sometimes also spelled psilocine, psilocyn, or psilotsin, is a psychedelic mushroom alkaloid. It is found in most psychedelic mushrooms together with its phosphorylated counterpart psilocybin...
.
He was also a member of the French Académie d'agriculture and the Académie d'architecture.
He was awarded the Darwin-Wallace Medal
Darwin-Wallace Medal
The Darwin–Wallace Medal is a medal awarded by the Linnean Society of London for "major advances in evolutionary biology". Historically, the medals have been awarded every 50 years, beginning in 1908...
in 1958 and appointed an Honorary Member of the Mycological Society of America
Mycological Society of America
The Mycological Society of America is a learned society that serves as the professional organization of mycologists in the U.S. and Canada. It was founded in 1932...
in 1973.
Major publications
- 1931. Le genre Inocybe, Encycl. Mycol. 1. 432 p.
- 1938. Les Lactario-Russulés du domaine oriental de Madagascar. 196 p.
- 1947. La sombre route (Souvenir des Camps de Concentration Nazis). 280 p.
- 1948. Les Champignons. Tableaux d'un MondeÉtrange. 143 p.
- 1952. Destruction et Protection de la Nature. 224 p.
- 1955. Un Naturaliste Autour du Monde. 207 p.
- 1957. Les Champignons d'Europe, vol. 1. 327 p
- vol. 2. 572 p.
- 1969. 2nd ed. as one vol., 680 p.
- 1958. (with R. Gordon Wasson). Les champignons hallucinogens du Mexique. Paris: Editions du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.
- 1963. Les Champignons Toxiques et Hallucinogènes. Paris: Boubée & Cie. 320 p.
- 2nd rev. ed in 1978. Société des Éditions Boubée. 270 p.
- 1973. L'angoisse de l'an 2000. 398 p.
- 1977. Termites et Champignons: Les champignons termitophiles d'Afrique Noire et d'Asia meridionale. 207 p.
Articles on psychotropic mushrooms
- Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H, Hofmann A, Cailleux R. (1958). Déterminisme de la formation des carpophores et des sclèrotes dans la culture du Psilocybe mexicana Heim, Agaric hallucinogène du Mexique, et mise en évidence de la psilocybine et de la psilocin. Compt. rend. Acad. Sc. 246: 1346-1351.
- Heim R, Hofmann A. (1958). Isolement de la Psilocybine à partir du Stropharia cubensis Earle et d'autres espèces de champignons hallucinogènes mexicains appartenant au genre Psilocybe. Compt. rend. Acad. sc. 247: 557-561.
- Delay J, Pichot P, Lempérière T, Nicolas-Charles P, Heim R. (1958). Effets psycho-physiologiques de la Psilocybine. Comptes rendus des séances de l'Académie des Sciences. 247: 1235-1238.
- Hofmann A, Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H. (1958). Psilocybin ein psychotroper Wirkstoff aus dem mexikanischen Rauschpilz. Rev. Mycologie. 22: 17-21.
- Hofmann A, Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H. (1958). La Psilocybine, Principe Actif Psychotrope Extrait Du Champignon Hallucinogène: Psilocybe mexicana Heim. Les chamignones hallucinogènes du Mexique. p. 255-257.
- Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H, Hofmann A, Cailleux R. (1958). Déterminisme de la formation des carpophores et des sclèrotes dans la culture du Psilocybe mexicana Heim, Agaric hallucinogène du Mexique, et mise en évidence de la psilocybine et de la psilocine. Rev. Mycologie. 22: 9-16.
- Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H, Hofmann A, Cailleux R. (1958). Déterminisme de la formation des carpophores, et éventuellement des sclérotes, dans les cultures des agarics hallucinogènes du Mexique et mise en évidence de la psilocybine et de la psilocine. Let champignons hallucinogènes du Mexique. p. 247-254.
- Heim R, Hofmann A. (1958). Isolement de la psilocybine à partir du Stropharia cubensis Earler et d'autres espèces de champignons hallucinogènes mexicains appartenant au genre Psilocybe. Rev. Mycologie. 22: 24-28.
- Hofmann A, Heim R, Brack A, Kobel H, Frey A, Ott H, Petrzilka T, Troxler F. (1959). Psilocybin und Psilocin, zwei psychotrope Wirkstoffe aus mexikanischen Rauschpilzen. Helv. chim. Acta. 42: 1557-1572.
- Ola'h, G-M, Heim RM. (1968). Etude Chimiotaxinomique sur les Panaeolus. Recherches sur la presence des corps indoliques psychotropes dans ces champignons”. Comptes Rendus Acad. Sc. 267: 1369-1372.