Ynés Mexía

Born on May 14, 1870. She was a Mexican-American botanist who began her scientific career later in life — mid-fifties, proving that discovery has no fixed timeline.

She conducted extensive expeditions across the Americas, often in difficult and remote environments like Colombia, Mexico and Peru. 

Over her lifetime, she collected more than 145,000 plant specimens for scientific study over the course of 16 enduring years. 

Among these, she identified around 500 previously unknown species. 

Her work significantly enriched botanical collections and expanded knowledge of plant biodiversity. She published a book with Edwin Bingham Copeland in 1932 titled Brazilian Ferns Collected. 

Mexía is remembered by her colleagues for her expertise in fieldwork, resilience in the face of difficult and dangerous conditions, as well as her impulsiveness,  fractious but generous personality.  Furthermore, Mexía became a role model for women and minorities in science.