LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides the acquisition of the main knowledge on evolutionary lines, botanical nomenclature rules, taxonomic groups, including the characteristics of the main families of the Italian Flora and the use of analytical keys for their identification. Understanding the meaning and value of biodiversity.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

The module has the following learning goals:

• deepening on evolutionary lines and botanical nomenclature rules;
• definition of taxonomic groups, including the characteristics of the main families of the Italian Flora;
• understanding of the meaning and value of biodiversity.

Competences and skills

Specifically, the student will be able to:

• compare the reproductive cycles of the main plant taxonomic groups;
• describe the structure and functions of reproductive organs of spermatophytes;
• distinguish the main taxonomic groups of plant kingdom;
• identify the main Angiosperm families and their use in daily human activities;
• use the dichotomous recognition keys for spermatophytes identification;
• describe the floral characteristics with floral diagram and formulas.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures (32 h)

Experiments in Laboratory and on-line field experiences (16 h)

Please refer to the AulaWeb platform for any specific updates to the teaching due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The module will deal with the following main argument:

Taxomomy

• Introduction to systematic botany: Taxa and nomenclature; taxonomic systems. Metagenetic cycles
• Eukaryotic algae: generalities, morphology, organization, reproduction and cycles. Systematics: Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta, Chrysophyta, Euglenophyta, Clorophyta, Charophyta.
• Relief of plants from the aquatic environment Terrestrial plants: general taxonomic scheme.
• Embryophytes: differences between Bryophytes and Tracheophyte
• Bryophyta: generality, morphology, organization, systematics, reproduction and cycle
• Pteridophyta (vascular cryptogams): general features, morphology and organization, reproduction and cycles of pteridophyte isosporea and heterosporea.
• Spermatophyta: general characteristics; egg and seed, pollen.
• Gymnosperms: generality, morphology and organization; reproductive organs, reproduction and cycle; Cytopophytes, Gingkophytes, Coniferophytes and Gnetophytes.
• Angiosperms: generalities, morphology and organization; reproductive organs; flower, inflorescences; fruit; reproduction and cycle; Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons

Laboratory and practical experiences

• Metamorphosis of root, stem and leaf.
• Flower and inflorescences of Angiosperms: morphology and functions. Morphological and anatomical characteristics of the fruit with relevant examples.
• Elements of phytognosy and use of dichotomous keys for the recognition of the main families of Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons. Presentation in the field of the main plant groups: mosses, ferns, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms with direct experiences.
• Visit to the Hanbury Botanical Gardens for direct observation of all the topics covered in the course.
• Field trip for live observations and harvesting of herbarium preparation material.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Presentation slides

• Available on AulaWEB at the site https://2022.aulaweb.unige.it

Main texts:

• Speranza A. e Calzoni G. L. Struttura delle piante per immagini. Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna, 2002.
• Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C. Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Ed. Piccin, Padova, 2019.

Reference texts:

• Solomon, et al. Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante. EdiSES, 2017.
• Tripodi G. Introduzione alla Botanica sistematica EdiSES, 2006.

Anatomy tables of vascular plants:

http://www.hortusbotanicuscatinensis.it/frame/botgenit.htm https://www.atlantebotanica.unito.it/

Other lessons in-depth analysis of various course topics, terminology, etc:

https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/bot115.htm

http://www.actaplantarum.org/