Elisabeth Ekman

Hedda Maria Emerence Adelaïde Elisabeth Ekman, née Åkerhielm (18 December 1862 – 25 May 1936), credited as Elisabeth Ekman, was a Swedish botanist, noted for her study of the genus Draba. She became a prominent researcher despite having no real academic background education or degree.

Life Ekman was born Hedda Maria Emerence Adelaïde Elisabeth Åkerhielm on 18 December 1862 in Axbergs församling, Örebro län. Her father was court marshal Baron Christian Wilhelm Åkerhielm of Margaretelund. She was especially interested in the Arctic and Alpine forms of the plant. She distinguished and described several new species and forms of the Draba genus, and described new species of the genus Antennaria, as well as carrying out identifications for other researchers.

Ekman died on 25 May 1936 in Hedvig Eleonora Parish, Stockholms län. Her collections are held by the Botanical Department of the National Museum.

Written works