Richard A White, University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus
Education:
PhD, University of Michigan, 1962
Office Location: 046A Bio Sci Bldg
Office Phone: 660-7305, 660-7268
Email Address: rwhite@duke.edu
Specialties:
Systematics
Organismal Biology and Behavior
Research Categories: Comparative anatomy of vascular plants
Research Description: Studies in my laboratory are focused on the development and systematic anatomy/morphology of vascular plants, especially pteridophytes. Research activity is primarily concerned with the patterns of initiation, differentiation and maturation of vascular tissues in shoots of ferns, and their bearing on concepts of vascular organization. In particular, we have emphasized studies of the significant variation in the relationship between the phyllotactic arrangement of leaves on the shoot and the development of protoxylem and metaxylem in the stem. Current investigation of the systematic anatomy of the shoots of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae, Dicksoniaceae and allied genera), have resulted in a published description of a new genus in this group. Methods used include culture of gametophytes, histological sectioning techniques, TEM and SEM techniques and cine photography for reconstruction of the often complicated vascular structures in the shoots.
Recent Publications (search)
- R.A. White, YJ Qui and MD Turner, The morphology of Metaxya rostrata (HBK.) Presl (Filicales: Metaxyaceae)., Amer. Jour. Bot., vol. 82 (1995), pp. 969-981 .
Duke Biology Box 90338 Durham, NC 27708 Phone: 919-660-7372 Fax: 919-660-7293