Reinhard Gustav Paul Knuth (1874–1957) was a German taxonomist, botanist and pteridologist responsible for "Initia florae venezuelensis" in 1928, and numerous contributions to Adolf Engler's "Das Pflanzenreich" on Geraniaceae, Oxalidaceae, Lecythidaceae, and other families. Knuth was a quiet, withdrawn and excessively modest person, impeccable character with a deep sense of duty and order, and greatly respected by his colleagues and students. Conversations with him showed a keen and critical intellect which would respond with gentle irony to any human failing.