| Citation | Dr Crane is distinguished for his many diverse contributions to our understanding of the origin and early evolution of the angiosperms, and of the ecological dimension of their impact on plant and animal life globally. With colleagues from North America anbd Scandinavia, his innovative approach to fieldwork has added significantly to the fossil record of early angiosperms and their antecedents, greatly strengthening the factual basis on which our model of evolution in that group is founded. Most particularly, his carefully documented reconstructions of whole plants, and especially the linking of flower, pollen-bearing organs and pollen grains has caused major re-thinking of relationships previously postulated only on detached organs. His research is noteworthy for combining the approaches of the earth and life sciences to bring a new perspective to the old controversy surrounding angiosperm origins. |