John T. Mickel (1934-2024)

Profile

Dr. John T. Mickel, who spent most of his long and distinguished career at The New York Botanical Garden, passed away in November 2024. The following summary of his research demonstrates the broad range of his scientific interests and accomplishments.

John Mickel’s research over 40 years centered on floristic studies in Mexico. Pteridophytes of Mexico – covering just over 1000 species was published in 2004. Mickel also conducted monographic studies of two fern genera, largely of tropical America: Anemia, a primitive genus of about 110 species and known in the fossil record for 150 million years, and Elaphoglossum, one of the largest and most specialized fern genera with over 600 species.

In addition to scientific study of ferns, Dr. Mickel conducted horticultural research on the cold-hardiness of temperate ferns and work with growers to make more species available to the public.

Interpretation of ferns to the public was a major part of Mickel’s career. In this regard, he was the founder and only secretary of the New York Fern Society (32 years), founder of the American Fern Society’s bulletin, Fiddlehead Forum (20 years as its editor), and long-time public lecturer on fern cultivation.