Role

Evolution of plant form; systematics of monocotyledons.

Use of micromorphology as a source of data in assessments of homology and phylogeny. Focused analytical studies on systematic morphology, anatomy and palynology in a phylogenetic and developmental-genetic context. Primary taxonomic foci are monocots, magnoliids, Lamiales and Malpighiales. Primary research goals are floral organ identity in a range of species, including those in which the flower-inflorescence boundary is indistinct, such as some species of the Monocot order Pandanales and the eudicot family Euphorbiaceae. Other research interests include floral evolution in groups such as orchids and Poales, cell inclusions in monocotyledons, evolution of pollen developmental mechanisms, unusual floral organs, and use of naturally-occurring terata to infer evolutionary change in flowers and inflorescences. Research portfolio of over 150 research papers and books, including a textbook Anatomy of Flowering Plants, which has been translated into Japanese. Co-organised and co-edited several conferences on various themes, including Monocots I (Kew, 1993), Reproductive Biology (Kew, 1996), Iridaceae (Rome, 1998) and Under the Microscope (Linnean Society, 1999). Collaborative research includes year-out placement students and PhD students, plus a broad international network.

Projects

Anatomical Identification of Plant Material

Anatomy of the Dicotyledons

Anatomy of the Monocotyledons

Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III

Araceae Taxonomic Knowledge Base

Cell Inclusions

Consider the Lilies

Cyathium Evolution in Euphorbieae (Euphorbiaceae)

European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy (EDIT)

Floral Evolution

Floral Evolution in Lamiales

Kew Latin America Research Fellowships

Monocot Checklist

Monocot Floral Evolution

Monocot Pollen Evolution

Morphological Innovations in Poales

Phylogenetics of the Monocots

Pollen Evolution

Seeds of the Monocots

Systematics and Conservation Genetics of Asparagales

Systematics and Conservation Genetics of Liliales

Systematics and Evolution of Pandanales

Systematics of Dioscoreales

Wood Anatomy of Malpighiales

Xylem Function and Evolution

Selected Publications 2001-2005

Rudall, P.J., Bateman, R.M., Fay, M.F. & Eastman, A. (2002). Floral anatomy and systematics of Alliaceae with particular reference to Gilliesia, a presumed insect mimic with strongly zygomorphic flowers. American Journal of Botany 89(12): 1867−1883.

Rudall, P.J. (2003). Monocot pseudanthia revisited: floral anatomy and systematics of the mycoheterotrophic family Triuridaceae. International Journal of Plant Sciences 164 (Supplement 5): S307−S320.

Rudall, P.J. & Bateman, R.M. (2003). Evolutionary change in flowers and inflorescences: evidence from naturally occurring terata. Trends in Plant Science 8(2): 76−82.

Rudall, P.J. & R. M. Bateman. (2004). Evolution of zygomorphy in monocot flowers: iterative patterns and developmental constraints (Tansley Review). New Phytologist 162: 25–44.

Rudall, P.J., Stuppy, W., Cunniff, J. Kellogg, E.A. & Briggs, B.G. (2005). Evolution of reproductive structures in grasses (Poaceae) inferred by sister-group comparison with their putative closest living relatives, Ecdeiocoleaceae. American Journal of Botany 92(9): 1432–1443.

Selected Publications pre-2001

Rudall, P.J. & Furness, C.A. (1997). Systematics of Acorus: ovule and anther. International Journal of Plant Sciences 158: 640–651.

Rudall, P.J. & Sajo, M.G. (1999). Systematic position of Xyris: flower and seed anatomy. International Journal of Plant Sciences 160: 795–808.

Rudall, P.J., Stevenson, D.W. & Linder, H.P. (1999). Structure and systematics of Hanguana, a monocotyledon of uncertain affinity. Australian Systematic Botany 12: 311–330.

Rudall, P.J. (2000). Coding micromorphological characters in monocotyledon systematics. In Pennington, T. & Scotland, E. (eds) Homology and Systematics. London and New York: Taylor and Francis. 114–123.

Rudall, P.J., Conran, J.G. & Chase, M.W. (2000). Systematics of Ruscaceae (formerly Convallariaceae sensu lato): a combined morphological & molecular investigation. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 134: 73–92.