Contact Information:
Matthew dot opel at uconn dot edu
Doctorate in Botany from the University of
Connecticut Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
My dissertation was entitled "The Morphology
and Evolution of the Genus Conophytum N.E.Brown (Aizoaceae)."
Conophytums (or "stone plants") are compact leaf succulents from the dryer
parts of South Africa and Namibia.
Specifically, my research focussed upon the micromorphology
and anatomy of Conophytum leaves, which I have used SEM and light
microscopy (with plastic-embedded thin sections) to study. I have
also investigated the cytology of the genus, and developed
a morphological phylogeny of the group.
Selected Publications:
Opel, M.R. and S.A. Hammer. 1999. Batrachia:
a new section of the genus Conophytum N.E.Brown (Aizoaceae).
Cactus and Succulent J. (US) 71: 153-158. [We describe a
new section for the anomalous C. armianum.]
Opel, M.R. 2000. Observations on some Richtersveld
conophytums. Mesemb Study Group Bulletin 15: 74-76. [I relate
some field observations on C. hammeri, the C. ectypum complex,
and the first (and so far only) botanical expedition to the remote and
forbidding Kristalberge region.]
Opel, M.R. and S.A. Hammer. 2001. Elusive eriospermums.
Cactus and Succulent J. (US) 73: 187-193 [We present an overview of
the obscure and peculiar tuberous monocot genus Eriospermum .]
Opel, M.R. 2002. Conophytum leaf structures;
Chromosome numbers in Conophytum. In
S.A. Hammer et
al., Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.
EAE Creative Colour, Norfolk, UK. [This update of Hammer's classic monograph
includes chapters summarizing part of my dissertation research.]
Opel, M.R. 2002. Aspazoma in
the veld and under glass. Mesemb Study Group Bulletin 17: 59-60.
[This paper is a description of the ecology, morphology and cultivation
of a monotypic genus of succulent shrubs from the family Aizoaceae.]
My hobbies include gardening, watching Japanese
animation,
playing the occasional video game,
hiking, watercolor painting and reading.
Some horticultural articles I've written for
the web:
My Conophytum page
- a short introduction to Conophytum in cultivation.
Raising Platyceriums from Spore - an article
about my favorite epiphytic pteridophytes.
The Eriospermum
Homepage - learn about weird southern african tubers.
Last Update to these pages November 2007; further updates unlikely.