Josias Braun-Blanquet

Braun-Blanquet was born in Chur, Switzerland, and died in Montpellier, France.

In Josias Braun-Blanquet's dissertation, supervised by Charles Flahault, he worked on the phytosociology of the southern Cévennes.

Thus, a particular type of mesotrophic grassland widespread in western Europe and dominated only by false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) becomes Arrhenatheretum elatioris Br.-Bl.. To distinguish between similar plant communities dominated by the same species, other important species are included in the name which otherwise is formed according to the same rules.

Another type of mesotrophic pastureland – also widespread in western Europe but dominated by black knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) – is consequently named Centaureo-Cynosuretum cristati Br.-Bl.

If the second species is characteristic but notably less dominant than the first one, its genus name may be used as the adjective, for example in Pterocarpetum rhizophorosus, a type of tropical scrubland near water which has abundant Pterocarpus officinalis and significant (though not overwhelmingly prominent) red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle).