John Leonard Riddell

During 1839, the botanist, medical doctor and geologist John Riddell was commissioned to search for the lost silver mine of San Saba. His travels took him from Galveston, to Houston, San Felipe, Columbus, Gonzales, Seguin, and San Antonio and then on a loop through the Hill Country before returning to Austin. His trip was chronicled in his journal, A Long Ride in Texas. He corroborated the findings of Jean Louis Berlandier and Thomas Drummond. At least two Texas plants bear his name: Riddell’s spike-moss and Riddell’s lazy daisy.