Kálmán is a botanist and taxonomist, studying the evolutionary relationship between plant groups using DNA sequencing. He joined the Horticultural Taxonomy team in 2014 upon completion of his RHS-sponsored studies
I am a botanist and taxonomist working to ensure plants are named and classified correctly. Using molecular tools, I study the relationship between horticulturally important plant groups in order to help stabilize their names ultimately to give gardeners confidence that the plant they purchase is correctly labelled. Traditionally, the naming and classification of plants were based on structural (morphological) similarities but the development of DNA-sequencing methods has allowed for plant grouping based on evolution. I study the DNA of plants to ensure all plants grouped into families are actually related, rather than look the same structurally (convergent evolution). For example, euphorbia, succulents and cacti all look similar but are, in fact, from different plant families. My current research focuses on petaloid monocots. I bring modern tools such as next generation sequencing to horticulturally important monocots through my work.
“I love that my job at the RHS allows me to follow the progression of scientific plant research that I then have the opportunity to apply in my own taxonomic research.”
The goal of my research is to ensure that plants, both in gardens and in the wild, are named correctly. Some plants are purchased at a stage of their lifecycle where identifying characteristics, such as flowers, are not present, for example, in bulbs. My work will help give gardeners confidence that they are buying accurately labelled plants.
During my PhD I had the opportunity to collect daffodils in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Finding the first daffodil on my first expedition in Morocco was one of my proudest moment as it made me believe my project could succeed.
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
