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Monocot Floral Evolution

Cross section of flower of Narthecium ossifragum (Nartheciaceae)

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and various types of light microscopy (LM) are used to examine both floral ontogeny and comparative floral morphology and anatomy in a wide range of monocots, both within individual clades (e.g. Alismatales, Arecales, Asparagales, Liliales, Pandanales, Poales) and in a broader phylogenetic context. The primary goals are (1) to assess the value of these data for systematics, and (2) to establish hypotheses about monocot floral evolution that will ultimately be testable in the context of developmental-genetics. Analytical techniques currently employed include cladistic analyses of morphological and combined molecular-morphological data, and use of the improved molecular phylogenetic framework in monocots to optimise character sets.

More than 30 peer-reviewed papers on monocot floral structure and anatomy have been published since 2001, several in higher impact journals. Published material encompasses both general comparative investigations (e.g. floral symmetry, nectaries, nucellus) and systematically-focused works on a wide range of monocots. Groups under investigation include commelinids (Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Ecdeiocolea, Globba, Hanguana, Poaceae, Pontederiaceae, Xyris), Asparagales (Alliaceae, Iridaceae, Orchidaceae, Ruscaceae, Tecophilaeaceae), Liliales (e.g. Corsia), Petrosaviales (Japonolirion, Petrosavia), Dioscoreales (Dioscoreaceae, Narthecium), Pandanales (Stemonaceae, Triuridaceae), Acorus and alismatids (e.g. Tofieldia). One current aspect of this research focuses on floral evolution in mycoheterotrophic monocots, especially Triuridaceae.

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