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Title: FLORA G. POLLACK

Author
item Rossman, Amy
item PALM, MARY - APHIS

Submitted to: Mycologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The identification of fungi necessary for making accurate plant quarantine decisions requires considerable skill and expertise. Few persons are well- ed and have the ability to conduct this work at a high level. Mrs. Flora G. Pollack was such a person and served as the plant quarantine mycoloigst for twenty five years. In that position she identified over 5,000 specimens that are available for reference at the U.S. National Fungus Collections and published a number of papers clarifying the taxonomy of complex plant-associated fungi. Her literature reference files served as the basis for a publication and are now updated and available over the Web. This memorial about Mrs. Pollack reviews her life and lists her publications. It serves as a tribute to her for her lifelong accomplishments.

Technical Abstract: Mrs. Flora G. Pollack was born on April 24, 1919, the daughter of Sarah and Lawrence Green. She attended Brooklyn College majoring in botany; the love of her life, aside from family and friends, was the study of fungi. As the United States' only plant quarantine mycologist for twenty years she had the privilege of examining specimens of interesting and unusual fungi from around the world that has been intercepted at ports of entry. Forced to retire at the height of career due to illness, she lived for almost two more decades in Florida where she continued to express her enthusiasm for nature until she died in May of 1997.