As a research associate, I have been working extensively on systematics of seed plants for Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. My research fields include morphology, anatomy, ontogeny, palaeobotany, molecular, biogeography, and conservation. I have been trying to integrate multiple disciplines to answer systematic questions. I mainly focus on gymnosperms and Lauraceae of angiosperms on taxonomic and evolutionary studies, but other groups of plants are also considered to tackle certain botanical/biogeographic questions. I am authored or co-authored for over 90 publications during the last 14 years.

I hold a Bachelor degree on Microbiology from Biology Department of Inner Mongolia University, China, and a Ph.D. degree of botany from the Graduate School of Chinese Academy Sciences. I visited the Missouri Botanical Garden during 2002 and 2003, and worked there on Asian Lauraceae for one year with Prof. Henk van der Werff who is one of the few specialists of Lauraceae.​

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2005.7- Associate Professor

2002.7-2003.8 Visiting researcher, the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, USA

2002.7-2005.7 Assistant Professor

Selected publications

(*Author for correspondence)

1. Yang Y*, Xie L, Ferguson D, 2017. Protognetaceae: a new gnetoid macrofossil family from the Jurassic of northeastern China. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 28: 67-77.
2. 杨永, 王志恒, 徐晓婷, 2017. 世界裸子植物的分类和地理分布. 上海: 上海科技出版社. 
3. 杨永*, 刘冰, Njenga DM, 2017. 中国裸子植物物种濒危和保育现状. 生物多样性, 25: 758-764.
4. Liu B, Hao YQ, Yang Y*, Sun TT, Lai YJ, Zhang T, He F, 2016. A new species of the Ranunculaceae from southwestern China based on morphological and molecular data. Phytotaxa, 283 (1): 043-053.
5. Yang Y*, Zhu XY, Wiersema J, 2017. Nomenclature notes on Phoebe chekiangensis (Lauraceae). Taxon, 66: 165-166.
6. Yang Y*, Lin LB, Ferguson DK, Zhang SZ, Wan T, 2017. A new gnetalean macrofossil from the Early Cretaceous and its evolutionary significance. Cretaceous Research, 74: 56-64.
7. Zeng G, Liu B, Ferguson DK, Rohwer JG, Yang Y*, 2017. Floral structure and ontogeny of Syndiclis (Lauraceae). PLoS ONE, 12(10): e0186358. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186358.
8. Yang Y*, 2016. Is Ephedra lepidosperma (Ephedraceae) a validly published name? Phytotaxa, 275(2): 189-190.
9. Sun TT, Wiersema J, Yang Y*. Correcting the type designations of Caryodaphnopsis baviensis and C. laotica (Lauraceae). Phytotaxa, 270: 227-230.
10. Nishida S, de Kok R, Yang Y, 2016. Cuticular features of Cryptocarya (Lauraceae) from Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Indo-China and its taxonomic implications. Phytotaxa, 244: 026-044.
11. Wang SJ, Cui JZ, Yang Y, Sun KQ, 2016. Fossil Flora of China. Vol. 3. Fossil Gymnosperms in China (II). Beijing: Higher Education Press.
12. Yang Y*, Ferguson DK, 2015. Macrofossil evidence unveiling evolution and ecology of early Ephedraceae. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 17: 331-346.
13. Yang Y*, Lin LB, Ferguson DK, 2015. Parallel evolution of leaf morphology in Gnetophytes. Organisms Diversity and Evolution, 15: 651-662.
14. Yang Y, 2015. (2408) Proposal to conserve the name Ephedrites cheniae (Liaoxia cheniae) against Potamogeton jeholensis (fossil Gnetales: Ephedraceae). Taxon, 64: 1331-1332.
15. Liu B, Ye JF, Liu S, Wang Y, Yang Y*, Lai YJ, Zeng G, Lin QW, 2015. Families and genera of Chinese angiosperms: a synoptic classification based on APG III. Biodiversity Science, 23: 225-231. (in Chinese)
16. Jin XH, Yang Y, 2015. Species Catalogue of China, Vol. 1. Plants. (1) Spermatophytes: Gymnosperms and Angiosperms (Cabombaceae-Orchidaceae). Beijing: Science Press.
17. Yang Y, 2014. A systematic classification of Ephedraceae: living and fossil. Phytotaxa, 158(3): 283-290.
18. Zeng G, Liu B, van der Werff H, Ferguson DK, Yang Y*, 2014. Origin and evolution of the unusual leaf epidermis of Caryodaphnopsis (Lauraceae). Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 16: 296-309.
19. Yang Y, 2014. A systemtic classification of Ephedraceae: living and fossil. Phytotaxa, 158(3): 283-290.
20. Liu B, Yang Y*, Ma KP, 2013. A new species of Caryodaphnopsis Airy Shaw (Lauraceae) from southeastern Yunnan, China. Phytotaxa, 118(1): 1-8.
21. Liu Bing, Yang Y*, Xie L, Zeng G, Ma KP, 2013. Beilschmiedia turbinata: a newly recognized but dying species of Lauraceae from tropical Asia based on morphological and molecular data. PLOS ONE, 8(6): e67636. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067636
22. Yang Y, Wang Q. 2013. The earliest fleshy cone of Ephedra from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Northeast China. PLOS ONE, 8(1): e53652. (DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0053652).
23. Yang Y, Lin LB, Wang Q, 2013. Chengia laxispicata gen. et sp. nov., a new ephedroid plant from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, Northeast China: evolutionary, taxonomic, and biogeographic implications. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 13: 72. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-72.
24. Yang Y, 2013. A numerical analysis of Ephedra L. based on reproductive features. Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy, 20(1): 51-60.
25. Wang LS, Yang Y, Zhang XC, 2013. Online Flora: method and practice of E-taxonomy. Chinese Bulletin of Botany, 48(2): 174-183.
26. Huang JH, Zhang JL, Yang Y, Ma KP, 2013. Advances in methods for measuring patterns of endemic plant diversity. Biodiversity Science, 21: 99-110.
27. Ayodele AE, Yang Y, 2012. Diversity and Distribution of Vascular Plants in Nigeria. Qingdao: Qingdao Publishing House. p350.
28. Xie L, Yang Y*. Miocene origin of the characteristic broadleaved evergreen shrub Ammopiptanthus (Leguminosae) in the desert flora of eastern central asia. International Journal of Plant Science, 173(8): 944-955.
29. Yang Y, Zhang LY, Liu B, van der Werff H., 2012. Leaf Cuticular Anatomy and Taxonomy of Syndiclis (Lauraceae) and Its Allies. Systematic Botany, 37 (4): 861-878.
30. Fu DZ, Sun YB, Yang Y, Qin HN, 2011. Hand-drawing Threatened Plants. Vol. 2. Lanzhou: GPGC., L.
31. Ye JF, Chen ZD, Liu B, Qin HN, Yang Y*, 2012. Disjunct distribution of vascular plants between southwestern area and Taiwan area in China. Biodiversity Science, 20(4): 482-494.
32. Yang Y, Zhang XW, Wiersema JW, 2011. Notes on the typification of Beilschmiedia xizangensis (Lauraceae). Taxon, 60: 577-578.
33. Yang Y, 2011. The minimum age of Ephedra L. (Ephedraceae): conflicting results between molecular clock and megafossils. Geological Review, 57: 9-15.
34. Yang Y, 2011. Cuticular diversity of the seed outer envelope in Ephedra (Ephedraceae) with a discussion on its systematic significance. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 19(1): 1-15.
35. Yang Y, Mo X, Liu B, 2011. Color Flora of the Sichuan Panzhihua Cycas National Nature Reserve in the Valley of the Jinsha River in Southwest China. Beijing: Higher Education Press.
36. Fu DZ, Sun YB, Yang Y, Qin HN, 2011. Hand-drawing Threatened Plants. Vol. 1. Lanzhou: GPGC., L.
37. Yang Y, Zhang LY, 2010. Venation pattern of Syndiclis Hook. f. and its related genera. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 18(6): 643-649.
38. Yang Y, Zhou ZK, 2010. New insights into the species problem. Science China Life Sciences [Science in China Series C-Life Sciences], 53: 964-972.
39. Yang Y, 2010. A review on gnetalean megafossils: problems and perspectives. Taiwania, 55(4): 346-354.
40. Yang Y, 2008. Proposal to conserve the name Machilus (Lauraceae) with a conserved type. Taxon, 57(2): 652-654.
41. Yang Y, 2008. What is the Basionym of Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia (Nees) Allen (Lauraceae). Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 16(3): 271-273.
42. Xu XT, Yang Y*, Wang LS, 2008. Geographic distribution and potential distribution estimation of Pseudotaxus chienii. Journal of Plant Ecology, 32(5): 1134-1145.
43. Yang Y, 2007. The nomenclature of fossil Ephedraceae. Taxon, 56(4): 1271-1273.
44. Yang Y, 2007. Asymmetrical development of biovulate cones resulting in uniovulate cones in Ephedra rhytidosperma (Ephedraceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution, 264: 175-182.
45. Yang Y, Fu DZ, 2007. Lauraceae. IN: Hu QM, Wu DL, eds. Flora of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 1: 37-54.
46. Yang Y, Yang ZR, Fu DZ, 2007. Ranunculaceae. IN: Hu QM, Wu DL, eds. Flora of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 1: 70-73.
47. Wang K, Fu DZ, Zhang ZS, Yang Y*, 2007. Valid publication of the names Viburnum chingii var. impressinervium and V. formosanum var. pubigerum (Adoxaceae). Annales Botanici Fennici, 44: 153-154. (*Author for correpondence).
48. Wang K, Yang Y*, 2007. Taxonomic study on Pseudotaxus (Taxaceae). Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica, 45(6): 862-869.
49. Wang X, Duan SY, Geng BY, Cui JZ, Yang Y, 2007. Schmeissneria: A missing link to angiosperms? BMC Evolutionary Biology, 7:14.
50. Yang Y, 2006. Proposal to conserve the name Ephedrites (fossil Ephedraceae) with a conserved type. Taxon, 55(4): 1051-1052.
51. Yang Y, Wiersema JH, 2006. Correcting the type designation of Phoebe calcarea S. K. Lee & F. N. Wei (Lauraceae). Taxon, 55(2): 511-512.
52. Wang QB, Yang Y, Zhao XM, Zhu B, Nan P, Zhao JY, Wang L, Chen F, Liu ZJ, Zhong Y, 2006. Chemical variation in the essential oil of Ephedra sinica from northeastern China. Food Chemistry, 98(1): 52-58.
53. Yang Y, Geng BY, Dilcher DL, Chen ZD, Lott TA, 2005. Morphology and affinities of an Early Cretaceous Ephedra (Ephedraceae) from China. American Journal of Botany, 92 (2): 231 – 241.
54. Yang Y, 2005. A new species of Ephedra L. (Ephedraceae) from Sichuan, China with a note on its systematic significance. Botanical Bulletin of Academia Sinica, 46: 363-366.
55. Yang Y, van der Werff H, 2005. Lectotypification of Machilus platycarpa and Machilus gracillima (Lauraceae). Novon, 15: 383-384.
56. Yang Y, Zhang LY, 2005. Notes on the publication date of four names of Lauraceae from China. Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica, 43: 565-566.
57. Wang QB, Wang L, Zhou RC, Zhao XM, Shi SH, Yang Y*, Zhong Y*, 2005. Phylogenetic position of Ephedra rhytidosperma, a species endemic to China: evidence from chloroplast and ribosomal DNA sequences. Chinese Science Bulletin, 50(24): 2901-2904.
58. Yang Y, 2004. Ontogeny of triovulate cones of Ephedra intermedia and origin of the outer envelope of ovules of Ephedraceae. American Journal of Botany, 91 (3): 361-368.
59. Fu DZ, Yang Y, Zhu GH, 2004. A new scheme of classification of living gymnosperms. Kew Bulletin, 59: 111-116.
60. Yang Y, Fu DZ, Wang Q, 2004. Origin of flowers: hypotheses and evidence. Acta Botanica Boreali- Occidentalia Sinica, 24 (12): 2366-2380. 
61. Yang Y, Fu DZ, Zhu GH, 2003. A new species of Ephedra (Ephedraceae) from China. Novon, 13 (1): 153-155.
62. Tao JR, Yang Y, 2003. Alloephedra xingxueii gen. et sp. nov., an early Cretaceous member of Epehdraceae from Dalazi Formation in Yanji Basin, Jilin Province of China. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 42 (2): 208-215. In Chinese with an English summary.
63. Van der Werff H, Yang Y, 2003. Interactive key of Asian Lauraceae. http://pick1.pick.uga.edu/cgi-bin/20q?guide=Lauraceae.
64. Yang Y, Fu DZ, 2001. Review on the megastrobilus theories of conifers. Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica, 39: 169 - 191. In Chinese with an English abstract.
65. Yang Y, 2001. Ontogenetic and metamorphic patterns of female reproductive organs of Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae). Acta Botanica Sinica, 43 (10): 1011 - 1017.
66. Yang Y, 2000. A new variety of Ephedra-E. equisetina var. monoica Y. Yang. Acta Phytotaxonimica Sinica, 38(4): 385.  

1. NSFC project: Origin and evolution of the outer envelope of Ephedraceae (project no. 30370105; 2004.1–2006.12)
2. NSFC project: Origin and evolution of the three envelopes of Gnetum (project no. 30600035; 2007.1–2009.12)
3. NSFC project: A taxonomic study of three complexes in Beilschmiedia Nees of Lauraceae (project no. 30970177; 2010.1–2012.12)
4. NSFC project: Systematics of Syndiclis of Lauraceae based on multidisciplinary evidence (project no. 31270238；2013.1–2016.12)
5. NSFC project: Systematics of the Alseodaphne complex of the Lauraceae (project no. 31470301；2015.1–2018.12)
6. CAS Initiative project: A taxonomic revision of Beilschmiedia of Lauraceae from China (2007.1–2009.12)
7. NSFC project: Taxonomy of the subtribe Beilschmiediineae (Lauraceae) (project no. 31770211；2018.1–2021.12)

已指导学生

孙添添  硕士研究生  071001-植物学  

金维胤  硕士研究生  085238-生物工程  

现指导学生

肖天文  硕士研究生  071001-植物学  

李海文  硕士研究生  071001-植物学