Berthold Stein
By: Antonio V. FigueroaBorn in Stuttgart, Germany, Berthold Stein (1847-1899) was a renowned German botanist (orchid specialist), lichen expert, and mycologist (a scientist who studies fungus and its genetic and biochemical properties) who contributions in the field of taxonomy are recognized in numerous international publications. He never visited the Philippines.
In Davao, where he is an unknown, his contribution lives on after a small tree, the Rhododendron apoanum Stein, was named after the Mount Apo.The specimen was discovered at Todaya, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. A rhododendron is described as "a shrub or small tree of the health family, with large clusters of bell-shaped flowers and typically with large evergreen leaves, widely grown as an ornamental."
(In 1905, distinguished American botanist Elmer D. Merrill [1876-1956] named a new Mount Apo shrub as Rhododendron mindanaense, after the island of Mindanao, and in 1929, American botanist Herbert Copeland classified another tree species in the same genus as Rhododendron bagobonum, in honor of the Bagobo tribe.)
Other inheritances
It is uncommon knowledge that a German, who enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippine Constabulary, once governed Davao, serving the bureaucracy with dedication, expertise and excellence.
German legacy in Davao region dates back to over 100 years, and this included missionary activities, financial grants, commodities and foods that bear indisputable German trademarks.
In the field of technical assistance granted through financial cooperation signed by the German Filipino governments, these were spent for port development and building of medical institutions, to name just a few.
(To be continued!)
