Pieter Pelser

Welcome! I'm a Lecturer in Plant Systematics at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Although I'm fascinated by all aspects of biology, I'm particularly interested in studying the evolutionary history of plants to learn more about the origin of biodiversity. Most of my research projects are centered around Tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae) and Philippine Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae).

Senecioneae is one of the largest tribes in the Asteraceae (ca. 3,100 species and 155 genera), has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, and shows remarkable morphological and ecological diversity. Senecio is the largest genus with approximately 1,000 species, and its size and taxonomic complexity has been a significant obstacle to studies into the evolutionary history of the tribe itself. To better understand the evolutionary success of Senecioneae and similarly large plant groups, we are taking a molecular phylogenetics approach to study the evolutionary relationships and mode and tempo of diversification of the Senecioneae.

The tropical Southeast Asian genus Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) is one of the few parasitic plants that are entirely contained within the tissue of their host plants, which are exclusively lianas of the genus Tetrastigma (Vitaceae). Rafflesia only emerges to produce its spectacular flowers, which are the largest of all flowering plants and may reach a diameter of 1.5 m. in R. arnoldii. Rafflesia has become an icon of Southeast Asian biodiversity, exemplifying the wonders and beauty of tropical rainforests. Our studies of Philippine Rafflesia aim to make this charismatic genus an icon of conservation by demonstrating how knowledge of the taxonomic diversity, ecology, and evolutionary history of Rafflesia contributes to its conservation.