Alicia Lourteig

Alicia Lourteig (1913–2003) was an Argentine and French botanist, world specialist in Oxalidaceae.

Personal life and education Alicia Lourteig was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her parents originated from France and Argentina. She studied pharmacy and biochemistry at university in Buenos Aires, and her doctorate was awarded in 1946.

Career Despite the subjects she studied at university, Lourteig's career was as a botanist, particularly as a taxonomist of the Lythraceae, Ranunculaceae, Mayacaceae and Oxalidaceae. Her interests extended to the history of botany in South America and the Antilles.

In 1955 she was recruited by the French National Centre for Scientific Research so moved to join the National Museum of Natural History, France as curator of the New World botanic collection. She contributed to the supplement of the Flore de France by Hippolyte Coste and revisions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. Lourteigia (from the Asteraceae family), and also Lourtella from the family Lythraceae.