James Lauritz Reveal (March 29, 1941 – January 9, 2015)[1] was a U.S. botanist best known for his contributions to the genus Eriogonum and for his work on suprageneric names.

[8] Reveal's research interests included botanical studies in the American West, especially endangered and threatened species.

They collaborated on many research projects, most notably the botanical studies of colonial Maryland and explorations in Mexico that identified two new plant varieties.

Gentle Conquest encompasses the history of botanical exploration in the New World from the first settlement to the end of the Western frontier.

[14] Reveal retired from the Botany Department at the University of Maryland in 1999, but remained active, holding emeritus appointments including Honorary Curator of the New York Botanical Garden (2003-2015) and adjunct professor at Cornell University (2007-2015), working on the Intermountain Flora project and collecting plant specimens throughout several Western U.S. states, including California, Colorado, and Nevada.

[15] In 2009, Reveal received the North American Rock Garden Society's Edgar T. Wherry award for his contributions to the genus Eriogonum.

[23][24] Reveal made major contributions to the systematics of Polygonaceae subfamily Eriogonoideae, and other families.