THE PHLOX FAMILY (POLEMONIACEAE)
My dissertation research focused on evolution of phloxes and relatives (Polemoniaceae) at several taxonomic levels. Polemoniaceae is a largely North American family of ca. 400 species. It is a particularly interesting study system for those of us interested in macroevolutionary perspectives on pollination ecology because it is a well-studied system compared to other clades of flowering plants. Most of my research foci are on species level relationships within selected genera and the taxonomic consequences, although I am interested in relationships and trait evolution at the family level. Current foci are the genera Ipomopsis (scarlet gila), Phlox (phlox), and Polemonium (Jacob's Ladder).
Family-wide QuestionsI am interested in the evolution of pollination systems and floral adaptation. Is the evidence of plant-pollinator coevolution in floral traits? Are shifts to certain pollination systems reversible (e.g., hummingbirds, selfing?). What are the geographic consequences of shifts to pollination systems (do selfers have larger geographic ranges, are certain pollination systems geographically structured, is there an interaction between pollination system and life history)?
I have addressed some of the first questions in a study of pollination system shifts in the family and the study of morphological traits associated with these pollination systems. I am currently combining these data with geographic data to address the latter questions. |
Polemonium
Typical Polemonium viscosum (left) from Larimer County Colorado (Rocky Mountain Clade) and an undescribed species currently considered "P. viscosum" (right) from Summit County, Utah (Intermountain Clade). Note that the Intermountain Clade tends to have more campanulate calices and corollas, more rounded leaflets, and more persistent dead leaf bases compared to the Rocky Mountain Clade.
Contact Me
Jeff Rose
Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison
430 Lincoln Dr.
Madison, WI, 53706
jeffrey.p.rose.3[at]gmail[dot]com
Jeff Rose
Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison
430 Lincoln Dr.
Madison, WI, 53706
jeffrey.p.rose.3[at]gmail[dot]com