Dr. Peter W. Michae–l An Appreciatio n- From the Asia-n Pacific Weed Science Society (APW SS)

Nimal Chandrasena

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Abstract:

Dr. Peter Michael, an eminent Australian botanist and taxonomist, passed away recently at the age of 97 peacefully. Those of us in the Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) who knew him closely are deeply saddened by this news. The family informed me on 6 June 2025 that Peter died peacefully on 5 June in a palliative care hospital in Sydney, with his wife Janet and his children by his side. He was 97. “He did not suffer long and had moments of joy even in the last weeks. His mind was lucid till the end. We feel lucky he was in our lives for so many years. Warm thanks to you for your part in helping him work late in his life. We would be very grateful if you could inform the Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society and anyone else who knew him”. I and our society have lost a great friend and personal mentor, who is hard to replace. Australia, too, has lost one of its greatest modern-day plant taxonomists. In later years, as our society launched its journal, WEEDS, in 2019, Peter served as both a reviewer and contributor of articles. As the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, if I had any issue regarding a botanical name or nomenclatural compliance, Peter was my advisor. I recall many instances where I sought his advice on Latin words and English expressions. Peter was also one of the reviewers of parts of my book, The Virtuous Weed (published in 2023). I also often sought his views on taxonomic and nomenclatural matters. We frequently exchanged views and historical information on early botanists of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Peter was APWSS President from 1977 to 1979 and organised the 7th APWSS Conference in Sydney. The society was formed in 1967 and is currently in its 58th year of existence. More importantly, Peter was one of the world’s foremost authorities on barnyard grass (Echinochloa species) taxonomy.