Bancroft, Joseph   (1836 - 1894)

Specialised mainly in the study of plants of economic importance, especially those of pharmacological value (e.g. Duboisia), and plant diseases. In some of these studies he was followed by his son, Thomas L. Bancroft (1860-1933). His collections are at K.

Extracted from: A.E.Orchard (1999) A History of Systematic Botany in Australia, in Flora of Australia Vol.1, 2nd ed., ABRS. [consult for source references]

General practitioner, surgeon. Arrived Brisbane 29 Oct. 1864. Appointed resident surgeon, Brisbane General Hospital, 1867, returned to private practice 1870; overseas 1877-78. Carried out research on diseases, crops & pharmacology, e.g. medicinal properties of Pituri, 'corkwood', Alstonia etc.; wrote 38 papers. First Vice-President, Roy. Soc. Qld.

Collected at Johnstone R. 1885, Burpengary Dec. 1891.

Specimens at BRI, K, MEL.

Commemorated (some with his son) in Isandra, Strychnos, Dendrobium, Wucheria (parasite).

Obit.: Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 10: 102 (1894)

Source: George, A.S. (2009) Australian Botanist's Companion, Four Gables Press, WA. [consult for source references]

Collecting localities for 'Bancroft, J.' from AVH (2021)

Data from 68 specimens