Ellen’s scientific achievements
Ellen was a pioneering botanist who specialised in a difficult branch of botany, that of the non-flowering plants or cryptogams. She discovered many plants new to science and made a significant contribution to the understanding of these plants. She was highly respected by her fellow botanists and many named plants after her in recognition of her scientific achievements.
In addition to being an outstanding scientist, Ellen was also a talented botanical artist. Botanical drawings serve science in a very important way.
On this page you can find:
Information about
Ellen the scientist
You can browse round a panel, Ellen, A Natural History Pioneer, from the exhibition, Ellen Hutchins: the young woman, her work and her world
Read about Ellen's artistic talents and see some of her drawings
Learn about plants named after Ellen
NATURAL HISTORY PIONEER
Below is a panel from the exhibition, Ellen Hutchins: the Young Woman, her Work and and her World, first shown in Bantry Library in 2015 and then in the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin in 2017. Explore around the panel for information about Ellen’s scientific achievements and the plants (and shells) that she found. You can view and download a high resolution of the panel here.
DRAWINGS OF SEAWEED
(1) Fucus asparagoides, 1811 (HFC)
(2) Conferva pedicellata, in Lewis Dillwyn’s book British Confervae (KEW)
(3) Conferva Brodiaei, in Lewis Dillwyn’s book British Confervae (KEW)
(1)
(2)
(3)
PLANTS NAMED AFTER ELLEN
Liverwort:
Hutchins’ Hollywort
(Jubula hutchinsiae)
Photo:
Robert Thompson
Moss:
Hutchins’ Pincushion
(Ulota hutchinsiae)
Photo : Rory Hodd
Liverwort:
Herbertus hutchinsiae with Polytrichum commune (stars)
Photo: Robert Thompson
Liverwort:
Herbertus hutchinsiae
Photo: Rory Hodd