Kai Larsen was professor of botany (Emeritus from 1-12-1996) at Århus University, Denmark. He was the Danish editor of Flora Nordica, editor of Flora of Thailand, advisor to Flora of China and executive member of Flora Malesiana.
He was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. and the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
Research
SE Asian flora region, particularly Thailand, Malaysia and Indo-China. Revisions of several families e. g. Caesalpiniaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Lowiaceae for several of the regional floras.
Zingiberaceae for Flora of Thailand and Flora Malesiana.
Eponymous species
Some plants are named in recognizing his contribution to studying Asian flora:
Genera
Kailarsenia fragrant plant from the family Rubiaceae can be found in Southeast Asia.
Larsenaikia once endemic Australian species of Gardenia in the family Rubiaceae
The generic name Kaisupeea B.L. Burtt (Gesneriaceae) honours Kai and Supee Larsen.
