Braam (ae) Van Wyk

Biography

Prof. A.E. [Braam] van Wyk is a plant taxonomist trained at Potchefstroom University for C.H.E. and the University of Pretoria. He did his masters and doctoral degrees on the classification of the genus Eugenia (Myrtaceae) in southern Africa. Prof. Van Wyk is responsible for most undergraduate and all graduate teaching in plant taxonomy/systematics and has been on the staff of the Department since 1977. His research interest covers a wide spectrum of taxonomic groups, including Myrtaceae, Celastraceae, Icacinaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Araceae and some of the endemic southern African families. Floristic work is mainly focused in KwaZulu-Natal, Pondoland, Maputaland (including southern Mozambique), Sekhukhuneland and the north-eastern Drakensberg Escarpment. Students are also involved in ethnobotanical surveys and studies on the horticultural/agricultural potential of the southern African flora. Comparative data from all sources is considered, with particular emphasis on morphology, anatomy, palynology, embryology, reproductive biology and biogeography. Most projects are linked to the training of postgraduate students for either masters or doctoral degrees. He has authored or co-authored more than 350 publications on the botany of southern Africa, including several books. Prof. Van Wyk has received the Silver Medal for Botany from the South African Association of Botanists, Allen Dyer Award from the Succulent Society of South Africa, Havenga Prize for Life Sciences from the South African Academy for Science and Arts and the Exceptional Academic Achiever Award from the University of Pretoria. Prof. Van Wyk enjoys making biology accessible to the public and has participated in a weekly science programme on radio for the past 18 years.

Research Interest

His research interest covers a wide spectrum of taxonomic groups, including Myrtaceae, Celastraceae, Icacinaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Araceae and some of the endemic southern African families.