Phylogenetic studies in Hypoxidaceae and related families

      With Justyna Wiland-Szymanska (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland) I am investigating the relationships among species of Hypoxis, among the genera of the Hypoxidaceae, and relationships of that family with the southern hemisphere Boryaceae, Asteliaceae, Lanariaceae, and Blandfordiaceae.  Recent phylogenetic analyses at higher levels in monocots have indicated that this assemblage of families forms a distinct monophyletic group.  In addition, these groups are part of the sister group to Orchidaceae, and therefore have relevance to our understanding of orchid phylogeny.  Our collaborators in this work include Dee Snijman (Compton Herbarium, National Botanical Institute, South Africa) and Yashica Singh (Natal Herbarium, National Botanical Institute, South Africa).                                        

Questions include the following: 

1.  What are the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships among the species of Hypoxis?

2.  Are the genera in Hypoxidaceae monophyletic, and how are they related to one another?

3.  What are the relationships among the families of this largely Gondwanan monocot clade?

Photograph of Curculigo scorzonerifolia by Dr. Germán Carnevali