Nationality British Died 1955 | Occupation Mycologist Parents Richard Cayley | |
 | ||
Born 1874 Sri Lanka Known for discovered Tulip breaking virus | ||
Dorothy Mary Cayley (1874-1955) was a mycologist who discovered in 1927 that "Tulip breaking" is due to a virus.
Life
Cayley came to England when she was seven and attended Stamford High School. She had been born in Ceylon where her father, Sir Richard Cayley, was the 14th Chief Justice. She went to London University before studying horticulture at University College, Reading.
She was a founding member of the Genetical Society in 1919 and introduced the study of the genetics of fungi into the United Kingdom. She found that the pretty phenomena of "Tulip Breaking" was due to a virus that was probably spread she aphids. This unusual colour variation did not result from genetics. Tulip enthusiasts who wanted "true colours" were pleased as they found the changes annoying. Cayley not only found the cause but also suggested a cure. She published her findings in 1928. More mundanely Cayley was interested in slime moulds and she created a better understanding on the sexual reproduction in moulds.
She was deputy director at the John Innes Horticultural Institution.