www.ciencias.unal.edu.co/unciencias/web/profesores/profesor.php?id=358
http://rgbernalg.googlepages.com/home

10 April- 29 June 2010

My major field of research is the palm family (Palmae or Arecaceae), of which I have studied taxonomy, ecology, economic botany and conservation, with a special focus in Colombia. I am particularly concerned about the management of useful species, and I have studied several species to establish the scientific base for their appropriate management.

I have also a deep interest in the common names of plants, not only because of their vital role as a bridge between scientists and society, but also as a rich source of information on the past (and in many cases now forgotten) relationship of people with plants. I have combined this interest with my interest on palms, and I have worked on the compilation of all Indian names applied to American palms. Simultaneously, I am producing a Dictionary of the Plants of Colombia, which gathers more than 16,500 common names applied to 8,500 plant species.

Additionally I am an editor of the  Catalogue of the Plants of Colombia, a mammoth project involving 180 specialists of 80 Institutions of 21 countries, to put together basic information on all species known in one of the world’s plant-richest countries.

Professor Henrik Balslev

Building 1540, room 318, Ny Munkegade 114-116
rgbernalg@unal.edu.co