Theophrastus and the origin of plant morphology and anatomy

你是否观赏过张艺谋执导的电影《山楂树之恋》(Under the Hawthorn Tree）？

你是否知道有刺的山楂树的属名为“Crataegus”？

你是否知道“Crataegus”源自“植物学之父”Theophrastus (c.371-- c. 287BC)在2300年前所创造的“Krataigos”？

古希腊大学者Theophrastus[(中译名：提奥弗拉斯托斯，大约公元前371年-公元前287年)] )是Aristotle (亚里士多德, 384--322 BC) 的一个得意门生。在学术界，Theophrastus被尊称为“植物学之父。”虽然Theophrastus很博学，著述甚丰，但残存著作不多。其中，两部植物学著作De Historia Plantarum《植物史》& De Causis Plantarum《植物的本原》对现代植物科学的兴起和发展产生了深远影响。追根溯源，植物形态解剖学、植物分类学、植物生理学和植物生态学都肇始于Theophrastus的开创性研究。

Theophrastus创造了一些专业术语，描述了480种植物。非常有趣的是，有些术语至今仍在使用，如：蔷薇科植物山楂的属名(genus name) Crataegus等。从词源角度分析，“Crataegus”来源于Theophrastus所创造的希腊文中的合成词“Krataigos”。原来Theophrastus用“Krataigos”描述了一种有刺的开花植物。

∮1 Theophrastus (c.371 BC to c.287 BC)

Theophrastus(c.371-- c. 287 BC) was a great disciple of Aristotle (384--322 BC) in the Peripatetic School. It is widely accepted that Theophrastus is considered to be the father of botany. Although Theophrastus was an erudite and prolific scholar, most of his treatises were lost forever. His two surviving botanical books, i.e. De Historia Plantarum (English name--Enquiry into Plants) and De Causis Plantarum, are believed to have profound influences on the origin of botanical sciences including plant morphology and anatomy.

Theophrastus(c.371-- c. 287 BC)-The father of botany--  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophrastus

∮2 De Historia Plantarum (Enquiry into Plants)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_Plantarum_(Theophrastus)

Fig.1. The title page of Enquiry into Plants in Greek and English

2-1

Title: De historia plantarum.

Title:Inquiry into plants. Latin

Author/ Creator:Theophrastus.

Published:[Treviso: Bartolomeo Confalonieri, 20 February 1483]

Description:[156]leaves (first leaf blank) ; 32 cm. (fol.)

Language:Latin

Notes:References: Hain-Copinger,15491*
References: Proctor, 6489
References: Goff, T-155
References: BM 15th cent., VI, 894(IB.28409)
References: ISTC (CD-ROM, 1998 ed.),it00155000
References: Walsh, J.E. 15th cent. printedbooks, 3314-3315

Subject:Botany -- Pre-Linnean works.

Place:Hierarchical: Italy -- Treviso.

Author/ Creator:Confalonieri, Bartolomeo, active 1478-1483 [printer];
Fumanelli, Antonio, active 16th century [former owner];
Bowie, Richard Ashhurst, 1836-1887 [former owner]

HOLLISNumber:008415440

CreationDate:20 February 1483]

Permalink:http://id.lib.harvard.edu/aleph/008415440/catalog

Source:HVDALEPH

2-2

Title:Enquiry into plants :and minor works on odours and weather signs

Title:Inquiry into plants. English & Greek

Attribution:Theophrastus; with an English translation by Sir Arthur Hort.

Author/ Creator:Theophrastus.

Published:London: W. Heinemann ; Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 1916-1926.

Description:2v. : ill. ; 17 cm.

Language:English; Greek,Ancient (to 1453)

Notes:Greekand English on opposite pages.
Includes index.
Bibliography: v. 1, p. xiii-xx.

Subject:Botany -- Pre-Linnean works.

Author/ Creator:Hort, Arthur, Sir, 1864-1935.

Othertitle / series:The Loeb classical library

Identifier: ISBN 0674990889(v. 2 : American); ISBN 0434990795 (v. 2 :British); ISBN 9780674990883; ISBN 9780434990795

HOLLISNumber:001613572

CreationDate:1916-1926

Permalink:http://id.lib.harvard.edu/aleph/001613572/catalog

Source:HVDALEPH

2-3

Title:Enquiry into plants

Attribution:Theophrastus; with an English translation by Arthur F. Hort.

Author/ Creator:Theophrastus [author]

Published:Cambridge,MA : Harvard University Press, 2014.

Description:1online resource

Summary:Enquiry into Plants and De Causis Plantarum by Theophrastus (c. 370-c. 285 BCE) are acounterpart to Aristotle's zoological work and the most important botanical work of antiquity now extant. In the former Theophrastus classifies and describes. His On Odours and Weather Signs are minor treatises. Theophrastus of Eresus in Lesbos, born about 370 BCE, is the author of the most important botanical works that have survived from classical antiquity. He was in turn student, collaborator, and successor of Aristotle. Like his predecessor he was interested in all aspects of human knowledge and experience, especially natural science. His writings on plants form a counterpart to Aristotle's zoological works. In the Enquiry into Plants Theophrastus classifies and describes varieties--covering trees, plants of particular regions, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and cereals; in the last of the nine books he focuses on plant juices and medicinal properties of herbs. The Loeb Classical Library edition is in two volumes; the second contains two additional treatises: On Odours and Weather Signs. In De Causis Plantarum Theophrastus turns to plant physiology. Books Onea nd Two are concerned with generation, sprouting, flowering and fruiting, and the effects of climate. In Books Three and Four Theophrastus studies cultivation and agricultural methods. In Books Five and Six he discusses plant breeding; diseases and other causes of death; and distinctive flavours and odours. Theophrastus's celebrated Characters is of a quite different nature. This collection of descriptive sketches is the earliest known character-writing and a striking reflection of contemporary life.

Language:English; Greek,Ancient (to 1453)

Notes:Includesindexes.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Text in Greek with Englishtranslation on facing pages.
Description based on printversion record.

Subject:Botany -- Pre-Linnean works.

Author/ Creator:Hort, Arthur, Sir, 1864-1935 [translator]

Contents:v.I. Books 1-5 -- volume II. Books 6-9. On odours. Weather signs.

Othertitle / series:Loeb classical library ; 70,79.

Series:Loebclassical library ; 70, 79

HOLLISNumber:014426461

CreationDate:2014

Permalink:http://id.lib.harvard.edu/aleph/014426461/catalog

Source:HVD ALEPH

∮3 De Causis Plantarum

3-1

Title:De causis plantarum : in three volumes

Title:De causis plantarum. English & Greek

Attribution:Theophrastus; with an English translation by Benedict Einarson and George K. K. Link.

Author/ Creator:Theophrastus.

Published:London: Heinemann ; Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 1976-1990.

Description:3v. ; 17 cm.

Summary:Enquiry into Plants and De Causis Plantarum by Theophrastus (c. 370-c. 285 BCE) are acounterpart to Aristotle's zoological work and the most important botanical work of antiquity now extant....

Language:English; Greek,Modern (1453-)

Notes:Includes bibliographical references.

Subject:Botany -- Pre-Linnean works.

Form/ Genre:Early works.

Author/ Creator:Einarson, Benedict, 1906-;
Link, George K. K. (George Konrad Karl), 1888-

Contents:v.1:Books I-II. v.2: Books III-IV. v.3: Books V-VI.

Othertitle / series:Loeb classical library;
Loeb classical library.

Identifier: ISBN 0674995198(Harvard : v. 1); ISBN 0674995236 (Harvard : v.2); ISBN 0674995244 (Harvard : v. 3); ISBN 9780674995192; ISBN 9780674995239; ISBN 9780674995246

HOLLISNumber:000837757

CreationDate:1976-1990

Permalink:http://id.lib.harvard.edu/aleph/000837757/catalog

Source:HVDALEPH

3-2

Title:Theophrastus on plant flavors and odors : studies on the philosophical andscientific significance of DeCausis Plantarum VI : accompanied by translation andnotes

Attribution:GeorgeRaynor Thompson.

Author/ Creator:Thompson, George Raynor.

Published:1941.

Description:319leaves.

Language:English

Notes:Includesbibliographical references.
Thesis note: Thesis (Ph. D.)--PrincetonUniversity, 1941.

Subject:Theophrastus. -- De causis plantarum. -- Book 6.;
Botany -- Pre-Linnean works.;
Food -- Sensory evaluation.;
Feeds -- Flavor and odor.

Form/ Genre:Early works.

Author/ Creator:Theophrastus. De causis plantarum. Book 6.English.

HOLLISNumber:007583764

CreationDate:1941

Permalink:http://id.lib.harvard.edu/aleph/007583764/catalog

Source:HVDALEPH

∮4 Theophrastus and the origin of plant morphology and anatomy

Theophrastus obtained much of his plant knowledge largely from the Lyceum garden. Part I of Enquiry into Plants contains plant anatomy. “We must consider the distinctive characters and the general nature of plants from the point of view of their morphology, their behaviour under external conditions, their mode of generation and the whole course of their life”.

   It is amazing that Theophrastus described gross internal anatomy of stems, roots, and leaves.Plants consist of bark,wood, and pith when pith is present.

Fig.2. The fruits of hawthorn from China (Cited from 张珑: 山楂红了)

   Theophrastus described about 480 plants in detail. Theophrastus coined lots of terms. Some terms remain in use even today. For example, Crataegus is the genus name of hawthorn in the family of Rosaceae, etymologically originating from the ancient Greek name Krataigos, which was coined by Theophrastus to describe a strong and thorny flowering plant. Krataigos is a combination of two Greek words kratus and akakia or akis.The former means “strong” while the latter indicating “thorn.”

   Theophrastus made several important botanical distinctions and observations regarding annuals,perennials,or biennials;monocotyledons or dicotyledons.He also noted the difference of determinate and indeterminate growth and details of floral structure including the degree of fusion of the petals, position of the ovary and more. These gorgeous observations are shown that Theophrastus made great contribution to the origin of plant morphology, anatomy, physiology, etc.

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Qigao Sun (孙启高2016年元月13日初步整理)

植物形态解剖学: Neo & Paleo-植物学（1）

结构植物学: Neo & Paleo-植物学(1)

Morphology &Anatomy: Neobotany+Paleobotany(No.1)

Structural Botany:Neobotany+Paleobotany(No.1)

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Theophrastus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophrastus

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Theophrastus

姜虹:古希腊植物学之父--Theophrastus

http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-273976-708367.html

2013-7-15 17:28

History of Botany--  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_botany

[转载]西方文明的摇篮---希腊[Greece—Cradle of Western Civilization (in Chinese)]

http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-225931-943700.html

2015-12-16 09:06

http://sohac.nenu.edu.cn/jpkc/course/gjpk01/tchplan/upplan/Chapter6/Chapter6.htm

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Morphology & Anatomy: Neobotany+Paleobotany(No.0)

Structural botany: Neobotany+Paleobotany(No.0)

Feng Chun-ling: Botany Theory of Theophrastus

冯春玲:植物学之父--提奥弗拉斯托斯的植物学思想研究：以《植物史》和《植物的本原》为中心(in Chinese with English abstract)

http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-225931-942259.html

2015-12-10 00:46

张珑: 山楂红了(red hawthorn in China)

http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-252763-497246.html

2011-10-15 22:54

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