Mulford B. Foster

Mulford B. Foster
Born(1888-12-25)December 25, 1888
Elmer, New Jersey, US
DiedAugust 28, 1978(1978-08-28) (aged 89)
Orlando, Florida, US
CitizenshipAmerican
Known forDiscovery of over 170 species of bromeliads including: Gravisia fosteriana, Aechmea ramosa var. festiva, Aechmea servitensis var. exigua to name a few.
Contributions to bromeliad hybridization and cultivation.
AwardsHerbert Medal for amaryllids (1951), Citation from the American Horticultural Society for contributions to the knowledge of bromeliads (1962)
Scientific career
FieldsHorticulture, Botany, Landscape Architecture, Artist, Philosopher, Collector
Signature

Mulford Bateman Foster (December 25, 1888 – August 28, 1978[1]) was a botanist known by many as the "Father of the Bromeliad" as he was instrumental in the discovery and introduction of many new species of Bromeliad to the United States. He also devoted his life to hybridizing and contributed widely to the knowledge of the plant species.[2][3][4] He was a man of many talents including naturalist, explorer, writer, photographer, artist, horticulturist and a well-respected landscape architect in Florida. Numerous bromeliad plants found today are named after various Foster family members and the genus Fosterella is named in honor of his work.[5]

  1. ^ Foster Family Bible
  2. ^ "Bromeliad Society of San Francisco Newsletter October 2004" (PDF).
  3. ^ Racine, Diane "Mulford Bateman Foster: Rediscovering The Father of the Bromeliad and his Lost Art", Reflections, Vol 7, No. 2, Spring 2009, p14-16
  4. ^ Numerous memorial accounts of Mulford from Bromeliad Society/Journals recounting his achievements and status as "Father of the Bromeliad", held by family members, 1978
  5. ^ Palmer E H (1964) Nomenclature The Bromeliad Society Bulletin v XIV (3), May–June 1964, pp59-61