Dr Tim Upson, Curator of Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Plant Systematics
My interest is in plant diversity, reflected both in my position as Curator of the University Botanic Garden and research in plant systematics and conservation. As Curator I have responsibility for the curation and development of the garden and its collection of over 8,000 species as a teaching and research facility for the University which is enjoyed by over 170, 000 people each year. Research interests in this area includes the history of CUBG, collection policies, ex-situ conservation in Botanic Gardens, the potential effect of climate change on gardens, cultivated plant taxonomy and conservation.
My other research interests are in plant systematics, particularly the Lamiaceae and the important aromatic genera Lavandula and Rosmarinus, including their horticultural taxonomy. Having monographed Lavandula with Susyn Andrews in 2004 and hosted an international conference in 2009 my current interest are in combining systematics with an understanding of the diversity of essential oils to discover potential new uses. Patterns of speciation are also intriguing in Lavandula particularly within the diverse Canary Island species and in Lavandula angustifolia, English Lavender, indicated by its post glacial distribution pattern. Work is underway to finish monographing the genus Rosmarinus where recent insights from cultivated taxa into the nature of morphological variability have finally provided an understanding of variation within the species.
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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.