Henry Owen
Professor
Life Science Building 2025
217.581.6238
hrowen@eiu.edu
Dr. Owen's Web Site
Dr. Owen’s research experiences and interests are in the use of cell, tissue, and organ culture techniques for plant propagation, regeneration, and genetic improvement, and in the physiology of threatened, endangered, and invasive plant species. Prior to joining the former Botany Department at EIU, Dr. Owen obtained research experiences with Agriculture Canada in New Brunswick, an international repository for living organisms in Maryland, and an industry-academic partnership between the J.M. Smucker Company and Ohio State University, all involving the use of plant tissue culture techniques.
Since 1994, he has expanded his focus to include the study of state-threatened and endangered species and exotic, invasive plant species. Currently, he co-coordinates the EIU Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Research Program (see link below). Since its inception, numerous undergraduate and graduate students have been involved in both field and laboratory research projects, have presented their results at state and national meetings, and have published their research in peer-reviewed botanical journals. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining independent study or research credits are urged to look through the following examples of former student research projects, and to contact Dr. Owen early in their college career.
EIU Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Research Program
Positions Held
National President for Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society.
Former Botany Division Chair in the Illinois State Academy of Science.
Phi Sigma representative in the American Institute of Biological Science
Phi Sigma representative and Financial Committee Member in the Association of College Honor Societies.
Phi Sigma and IL State Academy of Science representative in the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Selected Publications
Toppin*, P.B., J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, and J.E. Ebinger. Seed dormancy of Virginia Bunchflower (Melanthium virginicum), a threatened species in Illinois. In final revision for submission to Native Plant J.
Kerber*, A.J., B.E. Wachholder*, H.R. Owen, and J.M. Coons. Influence of light and sucrose on in vitro development of shoots in Stylisma pickeringii var. pattersonii. In final revision for submission to In Vitro Cell. Devel. Biol.- PLANT.
Claerbout*, A.E., B.L. Todd*, J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, D.W. Webb, J.E. Ebinger, and W.E. MeClain. 2009. Surveys of Stylisma pickeringii var. pattersonii (Convolvulaceae), its associated plant species, and its insect visitors. Submitted to Rhodora.
Franken*, K.M., J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, E.L. Smith, and J.E. Ebinger. 2009. Influence of reproductive and environmental factors on population size of wild hyacinth [Camassia angusta (Engelm. and A. Gray) Blank. (Liliaceae)], an Illinois endangered species. Castanea 74:114-122.
Claerbout*, A.E., J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, B.L. Todd*, and D.W. Webb. 2009. Floral traits and plant-insect interactions for Stylisma pickeringii var. pattersonii (Convolvulaceae). Submitted to Natural Areas J.
Owen, H.R. 2007. Breeding Field Crops, 5th ed. D.A. Sleper and J.M. Poehlman. 2006. Blackwell Publishing. 424 pp. (book review). Plant Science Bulletin 53(3): 128-130.
Claerbout*, A.E., J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, and K. R. Robertson. 2007. Floral biology of Physaria ludoviciana (Brassicaceae), a plant rare to the midwest. Castanea 72: 130-137.
Owen, H.R. 2007. Dictionary of Plant Tissue Culture. Cassells, A.C. and P.B. Gahan. 2006. Food Products Press. 265 pp. (book review). Plant Science Bulletin 53(2): 80.
McDonnell*, A.L., H.R. Owen, S.C. Jones*, V.P. Gutowski, and J.E. Ebinger. 2006. Survey of the Illinois-endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna remota (Greene), in Kankakee County. Erigenia 21:32-39.
McDonnell*, A.L., A.M. Mounteer*, H.R. Owen, and B.L. Todd. 2005. Influence of stem cutting and glyphosate treatment of Lonicera maackii, an exotic and invasive species, on stem regrowth and species richness. Trans. Illinois State Acad. Sci. 98:1-17.
Owen, H.R. 2004. Encyclopedic Dictionary of Plant Breeding and Related Subjects. R.H.J. Schlegel. 2003. Haworth Reference Press. 563 pp. (book review). Plant Science Bulletin 50(1): 27-28.
Flocca*, N., J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, B.L. Fischer*, and R.E. Edgin. 2004. Germination of Silene regia seeds from four sites in Lawrence County, Illinois following scarification or stratification. Erigenia 20:8-14.
Selected Presentations
Franken*, K.M., J.M. Coons, H.R. Owen, E.L. Smith, and J.E Ebinger. 2008. Environmental and reproductive factors influencing population size of the Illinois endangered species Camassia angusta (Wild Hyacinth). Trans. Illinois State Acad. Sci. 101:21.
McDonnell*, A.L., H.R. Owen, and S.C. Jones*. 2006. Survey of the native, endangered Kankakee Mallow, Iliamna remota, in Kankakee County, Illinois. Trans. Illinois State Acad. Sci. 99:39.
McDonnell*, A.L., H.R. Owen, and J.M. Coons. 2006. Floral initiation and development of the Illinois endangered species, Iliamna remota, with different photoperiods. Botanical Society of America Ann. Mtg, Chico, CA. July 30-Aug. 3, 2006.
A two year analysis of the effects of stem cutting and glyphosate treatment of Lonicera maackii, an exotic, invasive species, on stem re-growth and native species richness. 2005
Influence of stem cutting and glyphosate treatment of Lonicera maackii, an exotic, invasive species, on stem re-growth and native species richness. 2004.
* = Student Author
