Research Interests

My research involves an international network of collaborators, and centres on empirical studies of comparative and systematic micromorphology, explored in a phylogenetic context. Our principal goals are to develop strong concepts of homology for selected key morphological characters, and to develop testable scenarios that will help to understand the developmental constraints associated with evolutionary transitions in plant form. This will involve extension of investigations of character analysis into the relatively new field of evolutionary–developmental genetics.

Much of my recent work has focussed on floral anatomy, morphology and embryology of monocotyledons and Lamiales, with particular emphasis on features such as floral symmetry patterns, nectaries, ovary structure, and the nucellus. Other work includes leaf anatomy and development (especially the evolutionary history of the monocot leaf), pollen morphology and development (especially the evolution of microsporogenesis in angiosperms), and the systematic significance of different types of cell inclusions (especially crystals and silica bodies in monocotyledons).