CAPITULUM: The International Compositae Alliance Newsletter

Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and Trailblazer

Lizzie Roeble

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3664-4222

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53875/capitulum.01.1.08

Keywords: female botanist, history of science, Mexianthus, Mexico, South America

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Abstract

Ynés Mexía (1870–1938) was a Mexican-American botanist whose unusually late entry into botany—beginning formal study at age 51—preceded one of the most prolific collecting careers of the early 20th century. After relocating to California in 1909 and becoming active in conservation organizations, she trained in plant identification and collecting and soon undertook independent expeditions throughout North and South America. Over approximately 13 years of intensive fieldwork, Mexía amassed more than 140,000 specimens, including extensive collections from poorly explored regions and major traverses such as an Amazon-to-Andes journey that yielded tens of thousands of specimens. Her collections underpinned the description of more than 500 new species, and at least 50 taxa were later named in her honor. Mexía’s contributions were especially notable in Compositae: among many novelties, she collected material later described as a new genus, Mexianthus, and numerous new species across multiple lineages; she also documented emblematic Andean páramo elements (e.g., Espeletia) under demanding field conditions. Beyond her scientific output, Mexía publicly challenged contemporary expectations of women in field science and linked exploration with advocacy for habitat protection, leaving a legacy that integrates botanical discovery, museum collections, and conservation history.