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Plant Phylogenyand Evolution Group

Research Activities:

We primarily focus on the evolution, phylogeny, biogeography, and taxonomy of the Apiaceae family. This is an economically important group of flowering plants that includes numerous cultivated species (carrot, celery, parsley, fennel, etc.), culinary herbs (cumin, caraway, dill, coriander, etc.), and medicinal plants (asafetida, fennel, anise, etc.). These plants contain many biologically active compounds, studied for potential medical applications. Understanding the phylogenetic tree of this group enables bioprospecting, allowing us to infer the functional properties of plants based on their phylogenetic position.

Website: https://ibe.biol.uw.edu.pl/en/835-2/research-groups/plant-phylogeny-and-evolution/

Research Interests:

  • Phylogeny and evolution of umbellifers (family Apiaceae);
  • Evolution of pseudanthium;
  • Taxonomy of umbellifers (family Apiaceae);
  • Adaptive evolution of Anthriscus sylvestris sensu lato.

Team Leader:

Professor Krzysztof Spalik is author or co-author of over 50 English-language scientific articles, primarily in the fields of ecology, evolution, and plant taxonomy, as well as a comparable number of Polish-language publications, including popular science works, educational materials (school textbooks), and studies in educational research (e.g., reports on OECD PISA studies). A member of the State Council for Nature Conservation, the Committee of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), and the Committee of Organismal Biology of PAN. Recipient of the Ministry of Education Award for habilitation and the Polish Academy of Learning (PAU) distinction for the best school textbook. Winner of the “University Lecturer of the Year 2013” award in the natural sciences category at the University of Warsaw. Dean of the Faculty of Biology at the University of Warsaw for the 2024–2028 term.

Significant Achievement:

Development of a new classification system for economically important genera: carrot (Daucus) and giant fennel (Ferula), based on molecular phylogeny, facilitating research and practical applications of these plants.