Dr Tim Upson, Superintendent of Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Plant Systematics
My interests are in plant diversity, reflected both in my position as Superintendent of the University Botanic Garden and research in plant systematics and conservation. As Superintendent much of my time involves curating and running the Botanic Garden, which grows over 8,000 plant species and provides research facilities, as part of its role.
Research interests are in plant systematics and are presently focused on the family Labiatae and especially the genera Rosmarinus and Lavandula, the latter currently being monographed. This utilises herbarium studies and molecular methods to investigate phylogenetic relationships and biogeography. Major collections of both genera are held at the Botanic Garden, which also include many cultivars, grown to investigate the horticultural taxonomy of these economically important plants. Other research interests include the systematics of the Araceae, the conservation and evolution of island plants.
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Cambridge University Botanic Garden
1 Brookside
Cambridge CB2 1JE
Email: tmu20@cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 336268
Fax: +44 (0)1223 336278
Flower spike of Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', a popular cultivar whose horticultural taxonomy has become greatly confused.