COURSE: PLB 302 – Plant Taxonomy (3 credits – compulsory)
COURSE DURATION: Two hours of lecture and three hours of practical per
week (75h); 30h (T), 45h (P) as taught in 2011/2012 session
LECTURERS: 1. OLADELE, Felix Ayotunde
Qualification: B. Sc. Botany (Lagos), Ph.D. Botany (London)
E-mail: foladele@unilorin.edu.ng
Office Address: Block 3, 1st Floor, Room 3F23
Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Consultation hours: 10.00am – 12.00pm Monday – Friday.
2. ABDULRAHAMAN, Abdullahi-Alanamu
Qualification: B. Sc. Botany, M. Sc. Botany, Ph.D. Plant Biology (Ilorin),
Certificate in Computer Science (Unilorin), HDPA (Kwarapoly)
E-mail: abdulrahamanaa@unilorin.edu.ng, aaaoacademics@rocketmail.com
Office Address: Block 3, Ground Floor, Room 3G19,
Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
1
Consultation hours: 10.00am – 12.00pm Monday – Friday.
3. MR. EGBEDO, Fredrick Okouromi
Qualification: B. Sc. Botany (Lagos), M. Phil. Botany (Lagos)
E-mail: frederick@unilorin.edu.ng
Office Address: Block 3, 1st Floor, Room 3F27
Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Consultation hours: 11.00am – 12.30pm Monday – Friday.
COURSE DETAILS
3.1 COURSE CONTENT
1. Principles of plant taxonomy.
2. Taxonomic methods, nomenclature, construction and use of taxonomic key.
3. Classification of selected angiosperm taxa.
Course Description
The course deals with the principles and practice of Plant Taxonomy, which consists of 3
components namely Plant Nomenclature, Plant Identification and Plant Classification. It provides
information on the vegetative and reproductive morphology of selected angiosperm families.
Course Justification
The course is justified by the need for researchers to know the names and identity of the plant
specimens used for experiments and study. This facilitates effective communication with
colleagues. It also gives room for consisting of results through repeated experiments. Plants are
sources of materials applicable in industries and herbal medicines; hence familiarity with their
characteristics facilitates collection, use and propagation.
2
Course Objectives
The course is designed to help students to:
1. Know and apply the rules and guidelines for giving names to plants
2. Construct and use taxonomic keys for identification of plants
3. Gather data for classification of plants based on the relationships among them
4. Know the characteristics of various groups of plants.
3.5
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
To register for this course, each student is required to have taken PLB 302 as a prerequisite, with at least a score of 30% (PLB 302: Plant Taxonomy).
3.6
3.7
METHODS OF GRADING
S/N
Items
Score (%)
1
Practical Assignments
10
2
Assignment and Test
20
3
Final Examination
70
Total
100
COURSE DELIVERY STRATEGIES AND PRACTICAL SCHEDULES
1. Lecture sessions
2. Laboratory Practical sessions
3. Use of slide projections and demonstrations
PRACTICAL SCHEDULE
The students would have practice sessions on the following exercises:
1. Derivation of names for order, suborder, family and subfamily.
3
2. Derivation of names for genera and their specific epithets.
3. Construction chart and dichotomous keys.
4. Use of indented dichotomous keys and numerical keys to identify plants.
5. Study of the flora of west tropical Africa.
LECTURES CONTENT
Week 1: Plant Nomenclature – Taxonomic hierarchy and derivation of names for genus and
specific epithet
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to:
1. Understand the principle and practice of plant taxonomy
2. Understand the concept of binomial nomenclature
3. Derive names for specific epithet, genus and other taxa
Description: The topic is to introduce students to the principle and practice of plant taxonomy. It
will deal with such subtopics as common names and its problems, binomial nomenclature,
derivation of taxa names.
Study Questions
1. List all the rules of international code of botanical nomenclature
2. Write briefly on the following: ICBN, IBC, genus and family
3. Describe the process for derivation of generic names in Plant Nomenclature.
Reading List
1.
Abubakar, B. Y. and Yunusa, A. I. (1998). Epidermal structure and stomatal anatomy as
an aid to the taxonomic identification of some species of Acacia from Nigeria. Nigerian
Journal of Botany, 11: 117 – 123.
4
2.
Heywood, V. H. (1976). Plant Taxonomy. Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London.
3.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
4.
Ibrahim, J. A. and Ayodele, A. E. (2011). Taxonomic revision of the Nigeria
Loranthaceae. Nigerian Journal of Botany, 24: 153 – 188.
5.
Okeke, S. E. and Nwachukwu, C. U. (2006). A taxonomic study of Maesobotrya barteri
var. barteri in Imo State of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Botany, 13: 81 – 88.
6.
Olorode, O. (1984). Taxonomy of West African Flowering Plants. Longman, London and
New York.
7.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
8.
Sonibone, M. A., Jayeola, A. A. and Egunyomi, A. (2006). The taxonomy of species of
Ficus in Nigeria. Science Focus, 11: 31 – 37.
9.
Swift, L. H. (1974). Botanical Classifications. Hamden, Connecticut, USA: Archon
Books. ISBN 0-208-01455-1.
Week 2: Derivation of supra specific taxa and naming of hybrids
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to derive names for supra specific
taxa and hybrids
Description: Systems or methods by which names can be derived for plants below species level
and hybrids will be discuss with examples.
Study Questions
1. Explain the process of derivation of the names supra specific taxa and hybrids
2. Discuss briefly on: (a) synonymous and rule of priority, (b) author citation and (c) tautonomy
5
Reading List
1.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland.
2.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
3.
Swift, L. H. (1974). Botanical Classifications. Hamden, Connecticut, USA: Archon
Books. ISBN 0-208-01455-1.
Week 3: Transference of taxa
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to understand the reasons for
transference of one taxon to another.
Description: This week topic will expatiates on the reasons why some taxa change level e.g.
from species to genus, genus to species, species to variety and variety to species. It will also
show how author citation could be written in such a situation.
Study Questions
Write a note on transference of taxa in plant taxonomy.
Reading List
1.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland.
2.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
3.
Swift, L. H. (1974). Botanical Classifications. Hamden, Connecticut, USA: Archon
Books. ISBN 0-208-01455-1.
Week 4: Typification
6
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to list and explain all types
methods.
Description: Process of documentation of a herbarium specimen on which the description and
publication of the name of plant is based is known as typification or type method or type.
Typification includes different types of specimens based on the type collected. All these types
will be explained with examples.
Study Questions
Typification is an element or herbarium specimen on which the description and publication of
the name of plant is based. Justify this statement.
Reading List
1.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland.
2.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
3.
Swift, L. H. (1974). Botanical Classifications. Hamden, Connecticut, USA: Archon
Books. ISBN 0-208-01455-1.
Week 5: Construction of Comparison Chart and Dichotomous Keys
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to:
1. Enumerate and explain the types of taxonomic keys.
2. Construct a comparison chart
3. Construct dichotomous keys
Description: The process of identify an unknown plant using taxonomic keys such as numerical
and dichotomous taxonomic keys will be explained in detail with practical examples.
Study Questions
7
1. Give an account of the construction process and use of indented dichotomous key.
2. Write an essay on indented dichotomous key as a taxonomic tool.
Reading List
1.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
2.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
3.
Swift, L. H. (1974). Botanical Classifications. Hamden, Connecticut, USA: Archon
Books. ISBN 0-208-01455-1.
Week 6: Class test
Objective: At the end of the test, the lecturer(s) will be able to evaluate the level of
understanding of the students on the course contents covering lectures of weeks 1 to 8.
Description: This week students will be evaluated through a class test.
Week 7: Classification of some selected angiosperm families (selection of families is not static it
is subjected to change)
1. E.g. families Malvaceae and Rubiaceae
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to recognize members of the
selected families
Description: Details of the habitat, habit, leaves, stem, root, flowers, floral formula, floral
diagram, fruits, seeds and economic importance with some examples of members of each family
will be dealt with.
Study Questions
1. Outline the characteristics and economic importance of the family Malvaceae.
8
2. Write an essay on the family Rubiaceae with reference to morphology and economic
importance.
Reading List
1.
Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 8: Classification of selected angiosperm families
2. Families Apocynaceae and Asteraceae (Compositae)
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to identify and classify members of
a given angiosperm family using their morphological features such as leaves, flowers and fruits.
Description: Details of the habitat, habit, leaves, stem, root, flowers, floral formula, floral
diagram, fruits, seeds and economic importance with some examples of members of each family
will be dealt with.
Study Questions
1. Outline the characteristics and economic importance of the family Apocynaceae.
2. Write an essay on the family Asteraceae with reference to morphology and economic
importance.
Assignment
1. Justify the reasons for adopting plant nomenclature ahead of common names.
9
2. Write the floral formulae and floral diagrams of 10 angiosperm families.
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 9: Classification of selected angiosperm families
3. Families Anacardiaceae and Poaceae
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to identify and classify members of
a given angiosperm family using their morphological features such as leaves, flowers and fruits.
Description: Details of the habitat, habit, leaves, stem, root, flowers, floral formula, floral
diagram, fruits, seeds and economic importance with some examples of members of each family
will be dealt with.
Study Questions
1. Advance reasons for the high level of the success of the family Poaceae
2. Outline the characteristics and economic importance of the family Anacardiaceae.
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
10
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 10: Practical session
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to:
1. Carry out practical demonstration of topics learned theoretically in weeks 7 to 9.
2. Use and handle some materials and equipments for themselves.
Description: Theoretical knowledge will be supported with practical knowledge in the
laboratory. This will give the students the opportunity to use their hands in performing the
methods involve in the practical session and will further enhance their level of understanding.
Study Questions
1. Observe critically and draw leaves, flowers and fruits of plants given to you.
2. Dissect the flowers to draw and construct floral diagrams and floral formulae.
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge..
11
Week 11: Classification of selected angiosperm families
4. Families Fabaceae and Portulacaceae
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to identify and classify members of
a given angiosperm family using their morphological features such as leaves, flowers and fruits.
Description: Details of the habitat, habit, leaves, stem, root, flowers, floral formula, floral
diagram, fruits, seeds and economic importance with some examples of members of each family
will be dealt with.
Study Questions
1. Outline the characteristics and economic importance of the family Caesalpiniaceae
2. Give the floral diagrams and formulae of the families Portulacaceae and Fabaceae.
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2. Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3. Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 12: Classification of selected angiosperm families
5. Families Euphorbiaceae and Cucurbitaceae
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to identify and classify members of
a given angiosperm family using their morphological features such as leaves, flowers and fruits.
12
Description: Details of the habitat, habit, leaves, stem, root, flowers, floral formula, floral
diagram, fruits, seeds and economic importance with some examples of members of each family
will be dealt with.
Study Questions
1. Give a taxonomic description of the family Cucurbitaceae
2. “Euphorbiaceae is regarded as an advanced family” Discuss.
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 13: Classification of selected angiosperm families
6. Families Cyperaceae and Rutaceae
Objective: At the end of the lecture, the students will be able to identify and classify members of
a given angiosperm family using their morphological features such as leaves, flowers and fruits.
Description: Details of the habitat, habit, leaves, stem, root, flowers, floral formula, floral
diagram, fruits, seeds and economic importance with some examples of members of each family
will be dealt with.
Study Questions
13
1. Define these terms: monoecious, dioecious, calyx, corolla, gynoecium, androecium, stipule, stipel and
aestivation.
2. Outline the characteristics and economic importance of the families Cyperaceae and Rutaceae
3. By simple illustrations ONLY, clearly show when petals of a flower could be (i) valvate (ii)
imbricate (iii) vexillary
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 14: Class test
Objective: At the end of the test, the lecturer(s) will be able to evaluate the level of
understanding of the students in the previous lectures.
Description: Some questions which will serve as continuous assessment will examined to the
students with aim of evaluating their level of understanding of the lectures of weeks 1 to 11.
Study Questions
1. By simple illustrations ONLY, clearly show when petals of a flower could be (i) valvate (ii)
imbricate (iii) vexillary
2. Give the floral diagrams and formulae of the families Poaceae, Mimosaceae and Cyperaceae.
3. List all the rules of international code of botanical nomenclature
14
4. Write briefly on the following: ICBN, IBC, genus and family
5. Describe the process for derivation of generic names in Plant Nomenclature.
6. By simple illustrations ONLY, clearly show when petals of a flower could be (i) valvate (ii)
imbricate (iii) vexillary
7. Give one example each of leaves in Fabaceae being:
a. Pinnately compound
b. Trifoliate compound
c. Palmately compound
d. Bipinnate compound
e. Stipulate i.e. leaf-like
f.
Stipulate i.e. thorn-like
g. tendrils
8. List the major fruit types in
a. Fabaceae
b.
Poaceae
c.
Cyperaceae
d.
Asteraceae
e. Euphorbiaceae
Reading List
1. Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
3.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
Week 15: Revision of weeks 1 – 13 lecture sessions
15
Objective: At the end of the test, the students will be able to:
1. Re-examine those issues or topics that they do not understand previously.
2. Understand in sequence order the principle and practice of plant taxonomy.
Description: Revisions of lectures of weeks 1 to 13 will give the students the opportunity of
listening to the explanation and contribute to the topics thought by the lecturers earlier. The
revision exercise may take the form of questions and answers in addition to explanation and
discussion.
Study Questions
1. List all the rules of international code of botanical nomenclature
2. Write briefly on the following: ICBN, IBC, genus and family
3. Describe the process for derivation of generic names in Plant Nomenclature.
4. By simple illustrations ONLY, clearly show when petals of a flower could be (i) valvate (ii)
imbricate (iii) vexillary
5. Give the floral diagrams and formulae of the families Poaceae, Mimosaceae and Cyperaceae.
GENERAL READING LIST
1.
Abubakar, B. Y. and Yunusa, A. I. (1998). Epidermal structure and stomatal anatomy as
an aid to the taxonomic identification of some species of Acacia from Nigeria. Nigerian
Journal of Botany, 11: 117 – 123.
2.
Dutta, A. C. (2003). Botany for Degree Students, Revised 6th Edition. Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
3.
Heywood, V. H. (1976). Plant Taxonomy. Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London.
4.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellogg, E. A., Stevens, P. F. and Donoghue, M. J. (2002).
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc.,
Sunderland.
16
5.
Ibrahim, J. A. and Ayodele, A. E. (2011). Taxonomic revision of the Nigeria
Loranthaceae. Nigerian Journal of Botany, 24: 153 – 188.
6.
Lipo, C. (2005). Mapping Our Ancestors: Phylogenetic Approaches in Anthropology and
Prehistory. Aldine Transaction. ISBN 0202307514.
7.
Mace, R. (2005). The Evolution of Cultural Diversity: A Phylogenetic Approach.
Routledge Cavendish. ISBN 1844720993.
8.
Mayr, E. and Bock, W. J. (2002). Classifications and other ordering systems. Journal of
Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research 40: 169–194.
9.
Okeke, S. E. and Nwachukwu, C. U. (2006). A taxonomic study of Maesobotrya barteri
var. barteri in Imo State of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Botany, 13: 81 – 88.
10.
Olorode, O. (1984). Taxonomy of West African Flowering Plants. Longman, London and
New York.
11.
Pennisi, E. (2001). Evolutionary Biology: Preparing the Ground for a Modern 'Tree of
Life'. Science 293 (5537): 1979–1980. doi:10.1126/science.293.5537.1979. PMID
11557858.
12.
Scott-Ram, N. R. (1990). Transformed Cladistics, Taxonomy and Evolution. Cambridge
University Press. p. 83. ISBN 0521340861.
13.
Singh, G. (2004). Plant Systematics: An Integrated Approach. Science. pp. 203–4. ISBN
1578083516.
14.
Sivarajan, V. V. (1991). Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge.
15.
Sonibone, M. A., Jayeola, A. A. and Egunyomi, A. (2006). The taxonomy of species of
Ficus in Nigeria. Science Focus, 11: 31 – 37.
16.
Swift, L. H. (1974). Botanical Classifications. Hamden, Connecticut, USA: Archon
Books. ISBN 0-208-01455-1.
17
LEGENDS
1. Available in the University Library
2. Available in the Departmental Library
3. Available on the internet web
4. Available in the bookshops
18