Anton Kerner von Marilaun

Inspired by the work of Alexander von Humboldt and others he examined climatological and historical factors in the distributions of plant species.

Kerner was born in Mautern, Lower Austria, and studied medicine in Vienna, graduating in 1854 with a medical degree.

[2][3][4] In 1863 he wrote in his Das Pflanzenleben der Donauländer that much more was known about the plants of south America than of Austro-Hungary thanks to a traveller like Alexander von Humboldt.

[6][7] Kerner also examined plant-insect interactions and noted the role of mechanical defences, chemicals, stinging hairs and so on and termed the relationship as "armed freedom.

He compared the growth of plants in this garden and at Vienna and Innsbruck conducing an altitudinal adaptation experiment for 6 years involving about 300 annuals and perennials.