Truman G. Yuncker

Who was Truman G. Yuncker?

Dr. Truman George Yuncker was a taxonomic botanist and was best known for his work in the Piperaceae field. Yuncker first taught at Manual High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. After service in World War I, he received his Doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1919. Soon after, he became a faculty member at DePauw University and became head of the botany and bacteriology department in 1921 and held that post until retirement in 1956. During his tenure he described 839 new species, 211 new varieties and 25 new forma in the Piperaceae. He wrote the treatment of that family in almost every regional flora published during his lifetime. His early studies were on the genus Cuscuta in which he described 67 new species and 39 new varieties.