Endlicher and Sequoia: Determination of the Etymological Origin of the Taxon Sequoia

Abstract

The genus Sequoia owes its taxonomic identity to Austrian botanist Stephen L. Endlicher (Fig. 1). Research of primary material in Vienna and other locations have revealed Endlicher as a gifted linguist and botanist, who corresponded and interacted with colleagues throughout the world. These included persons who were experts on both the Cherokee language and the person Sequoyah. Endlicher’s botanical work of creating eponymous taxa combined with his knowledge of the person Sequoyah throws new light on the origin of the genus Sequoia. The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) share more than their immensity and co-occupation of California. The root genus, Sequoia, has presented an intriguing taxonomic origin question since the moment it was assigned by Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher in 1847 (St. John and Krauss 1954). Assumptions have been made that Endlicher assigned the name to honor the Cherokee linguist, Sequoyah, who had died just five years before. In 2012, Gary Lowe made an intuitive case for Sequoia being from the Latin “sequor” (to follow). I traveled to Austria in an effort to resolve this puzzle through an exhaustive review of primary sources, including original works in libraries and museums; a review of Endlicher’s publications, correspondences, journals; and notes of persons who knew and interacted with him. My findings suggest that Endlicher, a botanist, linguist, and communicator with other scientists interested in indigenous people of the Americas, used his expertise and pattern of naming plants after people to name the coast redwood after the man, Sequoyah. Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher-Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher (1804–1849) was born in Pressburg, a German-speaking town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1804. He studied theology and languages, and became a librarian. In 1828, Endlicher was appointed as a librarian to the National Library in Vienna and was placed in charge of the Handwriting (Handschriftin) Department. In addition to obtaining specimens for the collection he began his studies in medicine. At that time, medicine was not just the study of pathology, but of botany and pharmacology. Plants were the basis for cures and physicians consulted their Materia Medica, a primarily plant-based tome for patient treatment (Reidl-Dorn 2013). In addition to handwriting Endlicher developed an interest in maps, in Hungary, and in China. He became an expert in Sinology and furthered his remarkable linguistic ability. Over time he became proficient in Hungarian, Czech, German, French, Latin, Chinese, Italian, English, ancient language forms (he transcribed old German to new), and American Indian languages. After he joined the National Library, Endlicher pursued prime appointments in his chosen areas of expertise. In 18th Century Vienna, a person had to be a Free Mason to receive political appointments but by the middle of the 19th Century, family connections had become more important. Endlicher’s wife Caecilie had a sister who was married to the Secretary State Chancellor, and this link to royal patronage opened many doors for Endlicher (Reidl-Dorn 2013; Stangl 2013). Through his connections, Endlicher became personal tutor to Emperor Ferdinand, developing both a personal friendship with the Emperor and a good relationship with the members of the larger royal court. There he solicited letters of recommendation from colleagues to the crown