Joseph E. Armstrong
Introduction
Botany, like any other subject, can be studied from many different points of view. Economic Botany examines the biology, classification, evolution, ecology, and those specific aspects of plant biology that make certain plants important or potentially important to humans. We use plants and plant products in almost very aspect of our daily lives. Plants provide food, shelter, clothing, flavors, beverages, drugs, medicines, and decoration. Human existence on this planet depends on plants and plant resources. Examining the diversity of plants that have been influential and important, and those with the potential to be important will form the general subjects of this course, topics which are fundamental to understanding plant applications in agriculture and various industries. To fully understand all of the various ways plants are used requires a diversity of biological, scientific, and general knowledge. At times it will be important to know some biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, genetics, cytology, evolution, systematics, biogeography, and ecology. In addition, the study of economically important plants cannot be done in a cultural vacuum, linguistic, geographic, and historical knowledge is necessary to understand many events. The subjects of this course will give you ample opportunity to apply various aspects of your general education to botanical topics. Plants are used symbolically to celebrate holidays, religious events, birth, marriage, and even death. The desire to obtain certain plant resources have influenced human history, language, economics, and politics. Thus determining where and how we came to have a particular plant resource, or how the plant got its name, or why we use some plant resources the way we do, or why the same plant is of very greatly different importance at different times or in different places, will relate botany to human cultural history. This course will add an interdisciplinary dimension to your biological education.
Text: Economic Botany, Plants in our World, 3d ed. Simpson & Conner-Ogorzaly
Lab. Guide: Investigations in economic botany, J.E. Armstrong, Phi Sigma Book Store.
Student Objectives
1. To learn the diverse human uses of plants and plant products;
2. To learn the taxonomic diversity of useful plants;
3. To learn the biological reasons why certain plant resources are important;
4. To acquire an increased awareness and appreciation of plants and plant products encountered in everyday life;
5. To recognize geographic, historical, and cultural differences in the uses and importance of plants;
6. To relate diverse aspects of human cultural endeavores to plant resources, and to gain a better understanding and perspective of the origins, histories, and roles of important plants and plant products to the development of human culture.
Outline of Lecture Topics (Click on highlighted topics for more information and photo essays.)
1. Introduction (Ch.1): What is a plant? How necessary are plants? Plant diversity
2. What is Food & Why do we need it? (Ch. 3): Nature of heterotrophy and food. How do humans obtain food? Gathering & Hunting ii. Agriculture: Where, What, When, & Why?
3. Leaves, Stems, and Roots (Ch.8): General Plant Structure (Pp. 15-24, Ch. 8). Tissue systems & cell types, Organization of roots, stems & leaves, Asexual reproduction (Pp. 45-46), Major Families of Vegetable Foods, Starchy Staples (Cassava), Sugar Plants.
4. Fruits and Seeds: Sexual reproduction of seed plants (Pp. 24-36, 41-44), Fruit development, Fruit types & functions (Pp. 30-31, 85), Temperate Fruits & Seeds (Ch. 4), Tropical and Subtropical Fruits & Nuts (Ch. 5)(Chili Pepper Heat Scale), Cereals, Pseudocereals, and Forage grasses (Ch. 6), Legumes (Ch. 7).
5. Flavor and Odor Plants (Ch.9): Spices and Exploration, Culinary Herbs, Essential Oils and Perfumes.
6. Stimulating Beverages (Ch.14): Coffee, Cacao & Chocolate, Tea, Mate, Cola, Guarana, Other Stimulants
7. Alcoholic Beverages and Vinegar (Ch.15): Fermentation - Wine & Beer; Distillation; Vinegar
8. Oils and Waxes (Ch.10): Oil Seed Plants, Chemistry of Oils, Waxes.
9. Gels, Latexes, Resins and Rubber (Ch.11), Gels & Emusifiers, Latex, and Resin Plants, Rubber.
10. Medicinal Plants (Ch.12): History - Doctrine of Signatures, Types of Plant-derived Medicines, Medicinal Plants - Past & Present
11. Toxic and Psychoactive Plants (Ch.13): Chemistry of Psychoactive Molecules, Shamanism & Hallucinogens, Painkillers, Ergot, Nightshades - Witchcraft & Tobacco, Poisonous Plants - Identification, Cautions & Uses.
12. Fibers, Paper, Textiles, Dyes, and Tannins (Ch.16): Types of Fibers & Fiber Plants, Textiles & Cordage C. Dyes & Dye Plants. SILK.
13. Wood, Lumber, Cork, Bamboo (Ch.17): Wood - Gymnosperm & Angiosperm, Paper & Wood Pulp Derivatives, Cork, Bamboo & Reeds, Forests, Economics, & Environment.
14. Ornamental Plants (Ch.18): Aesthetics & Plants, Botanical Gardens, Important Families.
15. Plant Resources in the Future (Ch. 20): Genetic resources, Industrial raw materials, Feeding humans - Solutions & Problems, Plants with a Future Class participation and preparation.
LABORATORY
Investigation is an essential part of science, but most economic botany courses at other institutions do not have a laboratory. Have you ever tried a mango, a carambola, a passion fruit, a tamarillo, a kiwano? Central Illinois markets regularly stock these exotic fruits, but few people have ever tried them. Why not? What is tofu and how is it made? Where do peanuts come from? Would you recognize the plant? Are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing? Ever try a chapati or a quinoa gruel? Sound awful? These are some people's staple foods. How many colors do potatoes come in? How do floral scents end up in perfumes? What is paper and how is it made? Where does rubber come from? Ever chew sugar cane or make molasses? You get to experience all these things and many more. But students should be prepared to approach new things with an open mind.
The guide to this laboratory was constructed and written by myself. Several unusual recipes are included. The guide is sold only at the Phi Sigma Society bookstore, and all profits support student research and seminar speakers.