Leopold Loeske (24 October 1865, Hohensalza – 29 March 1935, Bad Harzburg) was a German watchmaker and amateur bryologist.

A skilled watchmaker, he was self-taught as a bryologist, collecting moss specimens in Germany, Switzerland and the French Alps during his career. Following World War I, he spent eight years working as a correspondent for a commercial institution due to financial struggles.[1] He joined the British Bryological Society in 1934.[2]

He died at Bad Harzburg while on a collection excursion in the Harz Mountains.[3][4]

The moss genera Loeskeobryum (M.Fleisch. ex Broth. 1925) and Loeskypnum (H.K.G.Paul, 1916) are both named in his honor.[5][6]

Published works

He was the author of 70 published works, including a highly regarded monograph on European Grimmiaceae, "Monographie der europäischen Grimmiaceen" (1930).[1][4] Other books by Loeske include:

• Moosflora des Harzes, 1903 - Mosses of the Harz.
• Studien zur vergleichenden morphologie und phylogonetischen systematik der laubmoose. 1910 - Studies involving comparative morphology and phylogenetic systematics of mosses.
• Die Laubmoose Europas. I, Grimmiaceae, 1913 - Mosses of Europe, Grimmiaceae.
• Die Laubmoose Europas. II, Funariaceae, 1914 - Mosses of Europe, Funariaceae.[7][8]

Loeske was editor of the bryological journal, Bryologische Zeitschrift.[3]

See also

• Grimmia

References