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.JSTOR Global Plants (biography) He joined the British Bryological Society in 1934.
He died at Bad Harzburg while on a collection excursion in the Harz Mountains. History of Bryology in Switzerland, source Harvard Index of Botanists, Frahm & Eggers 2001 S. 290-293.Grimmias of the World Grimmiology
The moss genera Loeskeobryum (M.Fleisch. ex Broth. 1925) and Loeskypnum (H.K.G.Paul, 1916) are both named in his honor.Biodiversity Heritage Library Taxonomic literature : a selective guide to botanical publications
Published works He was the author of 70 published works, including a highly regarded monograph on European Grimmiaceae, "Monographie der europäischen Grimmiaceen" (1930). 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.WorldCat Identities (published works)Google Books Studien zur vergleichenden morphologie und phylogonetischen systematik der laubmoose
Loeske was editor of the bryological journal, Bryologische Zeitschrift.
See also Grimmia
References