ILIA MITRUSHI (1904-1986), A PIONEER ALBANIAN BOTANIST

Lulëzim  Shuka; Kit  Tan

doi:10.20903/masa/nmbsci.2023.44.17

ILIA MITRUSHI (1904-1986), A PIONEER ALBANIAN BOTANIST

Authors

Lulëzim Shuka Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana University, Albania Author
Kit Tan Institute of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20903/masa/nmbsci.2023.44.17

Keywords:

Albania, botany; flora and vegetation; Jokl; Mitrushi

Abstract

A biography of Ilia Mitrushi and his contributions to the flora and vegetation of Albania before and after World War II is presented. These contributions include more than thirty-four scientific publications, including five books. Among the articles, the most significant are those on the ecology, distribution, and commercial use of the Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), European Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Balkan Pine (Pinus peuce), Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii), European White Birch (Betula pendula), and Valonia Oak (Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis).

Of particular interest are his publications on the vegetation of Albanian pastures, the production of the first vegetation map of Albania, keys for distinguishing various genera and families, as well as a work on Albanian vernacular names of trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, these contributions were largely unavailable to foreign botanists due to Albania's political and geographical isolation during the Communist period. His first book, Trees and Shrubs of Albania, is still considered the most comprehensive and valuable publication in this field for Albania.

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