Classic Greek Taxonomy (of Plants!) Wesley Thomas Josh Feger Tuesday Lab, 12:00-3:00
Greek Philosophy and Thought Ancient Greek philosophers explored the many aspects of nature (both inner and outer) Ancient Greek philosophers explored the many aspects of nature (both inner and outer) To look for understanding, they looked for ways of explaining the environment around them To look for understanding, they looked for ways of explaining the environment around them
Greek Philosophy and Thought One of the great thinkers was Hippocrates One of the great thinkers was Hippocrates Used plants for medicinal purposes Used plants for medicinal purposes Aristotle wrote on many aspects of Biology, but very little on plants Aristotle wrote on many aspects of Biology, but very little on plants
Hence comes....
The Father of Botany Theophrastus Theophrastus ( B.C.) ( B.C.) Student of Aristotle Student of Aristotle Wrote Wrote De causis plantarum (The Causes of Plants) De causis plantarum (The Causes of Plants) De historia plantarum (The History of Plants) De historia plantarum (The History of Plants)
The Father of Botany "We must consider the distinctive characters and the general nature of plants from the point of view of their morphology, their behavior under external conditions, their mode of generation, and the whole course of their life" "We must consider the distinctive characters and the general nature of plants from the point of view of their morphology, their behavior under external conditions, their mode of generation, and the whole course of their life" transl. A. G. Morton 1981
The Father of Botany Classified 500 distinct species of plants Classified 500 distinct species of plants Developed scientific terminology for internal organs and external tissues of plants Developed scientific terminology for internal organs and external tissues of plants Gave the first clear account of plant sexual reproduction and pollination Gave the first clear account of plant sexual reproduction and pollination Discussed the influence of abiotic habitat factors Discussed the influence of abiotic habitat factors
Catalpa for the Heart Some examples of “Doctrine of Signatures”
Bloodroot for Circulatory System
Liverleaf …..for the Liver
St. John’s Wort For curing wounds and cuts…...but it actually works! (also anti-depressant)
Achilles healing a soldier
Apollo Asclepias Achilles Hygieia
Hippocrates (400 B.C.) Father of Medicine
“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” - Hippocrates "Of several remedies, the physician should choose the least sensational."
Plato and Aristotle…. (about 300 B.C.) Which one is which?
Aristotle (300 B.C.)