David Bowman

David Bowman (3 September 1838 – 25 June 1868) was a British plant collector who, in 1866, was sent by James Veitch & Sons to collect in Brazil. The species Dieffenbachia bowmannii is named after him.

Career Bowman was born at Arniston near Edinburgh, sent him to Brazil to search for orchids and other plants. He travelled initially to Rio de Janeiro and travelled across the continent to Colombia. Amongst the plants he discovered and sent to his employers were Dieffenbachia bowmanii and Paullinia thalictrifolia, a climbing hothouse plant with fern-like foliage.

As well as sending back plants for Veitch, he also obtained material for private collectors in England and for the Royal Horticultural Society. He was preparing to ship a large collection to England from La Paz when he was attacked, losing most of his finds and as a result was instructed by James Veitch, Jr. to remain in Colombia in order to re-trace his steps.

Shortly afterwards, he contracted dysentery which led to his death on 25 June 1868. He was buried in the British cemetery at Bogotá.