Julius Vincenz von Krombholz (19 December 1782 – 1 November 1843) was a physician and

mycologist Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their genetics, genetic and biochemistry, biochemical properties, their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy and ethnomycology, their use to humans, including as a so ...

born in Oberpolitz (today Horní Police, Czech Republic), northern

Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...

. He studied medicine at the University of Prague, receiving his doctorate in 1814. In 1828 he was appointed professor of special pathology and therapy. At Prague, he used his influence to help the penniless August Carl Joseph Corda (1809–1849) get admitted to the university. In 1831 he was named

rector Rector (Latin for the member of a vessel's crew who steers) may refer to: Style or title *Rector (ecclesiastical), a cleric who functions as an administrative leader in some Christian denominations *Rector (academia), a senior official in an edu ...

of the university.

Contributions

In addition to his career in medicine, Krombholz had a keen interest in mycology. He performed numerous experiments involving the toxicity of mushrooms. He is known fo
''Naturgetreue Abbildungen und Beschreibungen der essbaren, schädlichen und verdächtigen Schwämme''
(1831–1846), a publication on mushrooms that was based on his own observations. It is acclaimed for its true-to-nature pictures and its descriptions of edible, harmful and suspect mushrooms. Krombholz died before its completion, and latter parts of the work were edited by Johann Baptista Zobel (1812–1865). Other noted works by Krombholz include: * ''Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der gesammten Akologie, zur Begründung eines Systems derselben'', 1825. * ''Anatomische Beschreibung eines sehr merkwurdigen Anencephalus'' (with three copperplates), 1830. * ''General-Rapport über die asiatische Cholera zu Prag im Jahre 1831 und 1832 nach den in den Choleraspitälern gewonnenen Erfahrungen'', 1836. A number of mushrooms were first described by Krombholz. As such, the standard botanical author abbreviation Krombh. is applied to the scientific names of these species. The genus ''Krombhlolzia'' (synonym ''

Zeugites ''Zeugites'' is a genus of North American plants in the grass family. Its species are native to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and/or South America. Species Species of ''Zeugites'' include: * '' Zeugites americanus'' Willd. - from Me ...

)'' from the family

Poaceae Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns an ...

is named in his honor.CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names
Krombholzia

Illustrations from "Naturgetreue Abbildungen und Beschreibungen der essbaren"

Image:Krombholz Julius Vincenz von 1.jpg Image:Krombholz Julius Vincenz von 2.jpg Image:Krombholz Julius Vincenz von 3.jpg File:Krombholz mykologische Hefte Taf. 37.jpg

References

Virtual cemeteries of Czech Republic, biographical information. {{DEFAULTSORT:Krombholz, Julius Vincenz von 1782 births 1843 deaths People from Česká Lípa District People from the Kingdom of Bohemia German Bohemian people 18th-century Bohemian people 19th-century Czech people Czech mycologists Academic staff of Charles University Charles University alumni Rectors of Charles University