FLORA MEDICINALE REGIONALE

Knowledge and Ability to Understand: The course provides the tools for the recognition of the main families of plants of herbal and health interest in the regional medicinal flora

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding: the student acquires the skills necessary to understand the use and utilization of medicinal plants of the regional medicinal flora in the health sector

Ability to Learn: the student becomes capable of recognizing and identifying the morphological traits peculiar to plants of the regional medicinal flora

Autonomy of judgment: the student develops critical thinking skills in being able to observe and recognize medicinal plants both in situ and ex situ

Problem-solving skills: the student is challenged to recognize the botanical and health characteristics of medicinal plants as well as techniques for collecting and preserving plant specimens.

The course will be structured in frontal teaching with power point projection and/or short films. During the course there will be exercises and problem based learning. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

- Methods for collecting, preserving and cataloging plants (herbarium).
- Morphological characters mainly used in plant classification.
- Use of analytical keys for identification of families.
- Description of taxa of medicinal interest mainly distributed in the region. 

- Gymnosperme: Cupressaceae, Pinacea 

 

Angiospermae:

LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONES)

Alliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, Asphodelaceae, Colchicaceae, Smilacaceae,

 

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONES)

Apiaceae, Asteraceae Betulaceae, Brassicaceae, Boraginaceae, Cactaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Clusiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Equisetaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Linaceae, Malvaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Papaveraceae, Plantaginaceae, Portucalaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Urticaceae, Valerianaceae.

 

 

The course is divided into three parts according to the chronological sequence of the topics covered.

 

PART I – 2 CFU – 14 h

Methods for the collection, preservation, and cataloguing of plant specimens (herbarium).

Morphological characters primarily used in plant classification.

Use of analytical keys for the identification of plant families.

Description of taxa of medicinal interest, with particular emphasis on those occurring in the region.

Gymnosperms: Cupressaceae, Pinaceae

 

PART II – 2 CFU – 14 h

Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)

Alliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, Asphodelaceae, Colchicaceae, Smilacaceae

 

Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)

Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Betulaceae, Brassicaceae, Boraginaceae, Cactaceae

 

PART III – 2 CFU – 14 h

Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)

Caryophyllaceae, Clusiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Equisetaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Linaceae, Malvaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Papaveraceae, Plantaginaceae, Portucalaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Urticaceae, Valerianaceae.

Giardina G. Piante rare della Sicilia. Università degli studi Palermo. Cultura Botanica Ed. 

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA
The final exam will be evaluated based on the following indicators weighted equally and consistent with what is described in the expected learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors):

- personal processing skills and operational initiative;
- ability to consult and use bibliographic materials;
- expository skills;
- scientific understanding of the topic.
Therefore, the final grade takes into account various factors listed below.
Quality of knowledge, skills, competencies possessed and/or manifested:
(a) appropriateness, correctness and congruence of knowledge
(b) appropriateness, correctness and congruence of skills
(c) appropriateness, correctness and congruence of skills
Expository mode:
(a) Expressive ability;
(b) Appropriate use of discipline-specific language;
(c) Logical skills and consequentiality in linking content;
(d) Ability to connect different topics by finding common points and establishing a coherent overall pattern, i.e., taking care of structure, organization and logical connections of expository discourse;
(e) Ability to synthesize including through the use of the subject's own symbolism and the graphic expression of notions and concepts, in the form of, for example, formulas, diagrams, equations.
Relational qualities:
Willingness to exchange and interact with the lecturer during the interview.
Personal qualities:
(a) critical spirit;
(b) ability to self-evaluate;
(c) problem-solving skills;
(d) ability to make decisions.
 

The oral examination consists of the presentation, discussion, and critical analysis of the herbarium prepared by the student during the course, with the aim of assessing the ability to recognize, describe, and interpret the collected and classified botanical specimens. The discussion of the herbarium is complemented by three questions designed to assess the student’s level of knowledge of the topics covered during the course, the ability to establish connections among the different concepts, and the capacity for critical analysis of the acquired knowledge. The oral examination also aims to clarify and further explore any aspects that emerged during the examination and to complete the assessment of learning outcomes through additional questions focused on verifying the student’s mastery of the course contents. The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 20 minutes. Based on the criteria described above, the final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale according to the following scheme:

Fail

Analytical and synthesis skills: inadequate; frequent overgeneralisations.
Use of references: entirely inappropriate.

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: significant gaps and inaccuracies.

18–20

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very limited, with evident shortcomings.

Analytical and synthesis skills: barely satisfactory.

Use of references: barely appropriate.

21–23

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: slightly above the minimum acceptable level.

Analytical and synthesis skills: satisfactory analytical and synthesis skills; presents arguments in a logical and coherent manner.

Use of references: makes appropriate use of standard references.

 24–26

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: good.

Analytical and synthesis skills: demonstrates good analytical and synthesis skills; presents arguments coherently.

Use of references: makes appropriate use of standard references.

27–29

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: more than good.

Analytical and synthesis skills: demonstrates strong analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references: shows evidence of further reading and in-depth engagement with the subject.

 30–30 with Honours

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: excellent.

Analytical and synthesis skills: demonstrates outstanding analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references: provides significant critical insight and in-depth engagement with the subject.

Honors are awarded to candidates who are clearly above average, and whose possible limitations in notional, expressive, conceptual, and logical skills are on the whole completely irrelevant.

 Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department, Prof.ssa Santina Chiechio. 

Exame dates

The exam dates are published on the website of the Department of Drug and Health Science: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/l-29_sfa/calendario-esami.

1. Criteria and techniques for the preparation of a herbarium

2. Classification of leaves 

3. Description and uses of the Malvaceae

4. Description and uses of the Apiaceae