Species Boerhavia commersonii

For Herman Boerhaave (1668–1739), Dutch anatomical physician, botanist and chemist, who held three professorships at the University of Leiden, that of professor of botany and medicine (1709), of practical medicine (1714, a year in which he also became rector), and of chemistry (1718). His reputation was such that he tutored Peter the Great in maritime affairs and knew Linnaeus and Voltaire well. During his career he introduced the modern system of clinical instruction, described ‘Boerhaave’s syndrome’, a condition involving a torn oesophagus, described plant species, and published numerous works in medicine and chemistry. In 1728 he was elected to the French Academy of Sciences.