Grady L. Webster Structural Botany Publication Award

THE GRADY L. WEBSTER AWARD was established in 2006 by BSA President (1983) Dr. Barbara D. Webster, and daughter Dr. Susan V. Webster to honor the life and work of husband and father, Dr. Grady L. Webster. The Grady L. Webster Award is a rotating award presented by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists and the Botanical Society of America in alternating years. Dr. Webster was an ASPT President (1982), BSA President (1993), and recipient of both the ASPT Asa Gray Award (2006) and the BSA Merit Award (1997). The American Society of Plant Taxonomists and the Botanical Society of America are pleased to join together in honoring Grady.

The BSA component of the award, the Grady L. Webster Structural Botany Publication Award recognizes the most outstanding paper published in the American Journal of Botany in the field of structural and developmental botany (i.e., anatomy and morphology) over a two-year period, or a book, monograph and miscellaneous publication of significant importance in the same field. The ASPT component of the award, the Grady L. Webster Plant Systematics Publication Award will be given in even numbered years and will represent the paper illustrating the most significant contribution consistent with Grady’s own interests and focus in systematics.

Grady is remembered as a person whose contributions have been truly monumental in the recent history of plant systematics and constitute a massive body of work that rivals anything produced through the initiative and influence of a single individual. More importantly, Grady inspired young people with his passion and energy for seeing plants in their natural habitat and his global knowledge of vegetation. He will be remembered for the importance of his contributions to our knowledge of tropical and subtropical plants; his infectious, wry sense of humor; and his warm and constant support of his friends and family.

In Memorium, GRADY L. WEBSTER, 1927-2005, Plant Science Bulletin 2006, Vol. 52, Issue 1

Award Recipients:

2008 - The Grady L. Webster Award is presented by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists. The Society was honored to present the award and accompaning $1,000 check to: Walter Judd, University of Florida, Gainsville.

2007 - marks the first year the Grady L. Webster Award is presented by the Botanical Society of America. We are honored to present the award and accompaning $1,000 check to:

Francisco Vergara (left), Barbara Ambrose
and Elena Alvarez-Buylla at the Lacandon rainforest