Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter (16 October 1872 – 16 November 1925) was a German taxonomist, botanist, and author of several works on orchids.

He went on botanical expeditions in Africa, Indonesia, New Guinea, South and Central America and Australia.

His brother was Max Schlechter (1874–1960), was a German trader and collector of natural history specimens.

[2] Schlechter began his career of botanical fieldwork by leaving Europe in 1891 to journey to Africa and subsequently across Indonesia and Australia.

He was a leader of expeditions in German Africa, investigating the Caoutchouc industry, but continually collecting plant specimens.