Vascular Plants
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The goal of the course is to provide the basic knowledge for the identification of vascular plants, with particular reference to Italian flora, including the main macroscopic morphological features and identification tools, and to provide information about ecological requirements and distribution of the main families and species.
Expected learning outcomes
Identification skills about vascular plants; use of identification keys and other identification features; sampling and preparation of herbarium specimens; use of floristic data.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to vascular plant species identification (diagnostic characters, dichotomous keys etc.)
Fundamentals of botanical nomenclature
How to make a herbarium
Theoretical and practical analysis of the most important families of vascular plant species of the Italian flora:
- Lycopodiophyta: Lycopodiaceae, Isoetaceae, Selaginellaceae
- Monilophyta: Equisetaceae, Ferns s.l.
- Gymnospermae: Pinaceae, Taxaceae, Ephedraceae
- Angiospermae: Amaryllidaceae, Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae or Compositae, Brassicaceae or Cruciferae, Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae or Leguminosae, Fagaceae, Gentianaceae, Geraniaceae, Juncaceae, Iridaceae, Lamiaceae or Labiatae, Liliaceae, Orchidaceae, Plantaginacee, Poaceae or Gramineae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Saxifragaceae, Solanaceae
Fundamentals of botanical nomenclature
How to make a herbarium
Theoretical and practical analysis of the most important families of vascular plant species of the Italian flora:
- Lycopodiophyta: Lycopodiaceae, Isoetaceae, Selaginellaceae
- Monilophyta: Equisetaceae, Ferns s.l.
- Gymnospermae: Pinaceae, Taxaceae, Ephedraceae
- Angiospermae: Amaryllidaceae, Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae or Compositae, Brassicaceae or Cruciferae, Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae or Leguminosae, Fagaceae, Gentianaceae, Geraniaceae, Juncaceae, Iridaceae, Lamiaceae or Labiatae, Liliaceae, Orchidaceae, Plantaginacee, Poaceae or Gramineae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Saxifragaceae, Solanaceae
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of taxonomy and systematics of vascular plants, the dichotomous keys and their use
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures and practical exercises in the botanical garden
Teaching Resources
Suggested textbook:
Simpson M.G. (2020) Plant Systematics. Academic Pr. ISBN 978-0128126288
Handouts provided by the teacher
Simpson M.G. (2020) Plant Systematics. Academic Pr. ISBN 978-0128126288
Handouts provided by the teacher
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam, with presentation of a herbarium (50 specimens), discussion of the identification of some specimens, fundamental characters of the families to which the specimens discussed are ascribed and of other families chosen by the teacher. For every family, the students will be required to speak about:
- brief systematic overview
- principal morphological characters
- some of the most important species of the Italian flora, explaining distinctive morphological characters, ecology and possible usefulness for humans
The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths and will take into consideration the accuracy of scientific language, the accuracy in subject presentation, the ability to synthesise and create connections between the diverse aspects of the subject.
- brief systematic overview
- principal morphological characters
- some of the most important species of the Italian flora, explaining distinctive morphological characters, ecology and possible usefulness for humans
The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths and will take into consideration the accuracy of scientific language, the accuracy in subject presentation, the ability to synthesise and create connections between the diverse aspects of the subject.
Professor(s)