Guest Lecture at the ER INAS

27.3.2025

A guest lecture was held at the Department of Landscape Gardening of the ER INAS s on the topic “Phenorhythmotypes: Classification, Features and Importance of Medicinal Plants”.

A guest lecture on the topic of phenorhythmotypes of medicinal plants was held with the aim of familiarizing students and the scientific community with current research in plant phenology. The lecturer was Tetiana SHEVCHENKO, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Deputy Director for Scientific Work of the Medicinal Plants Research Station of the Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management of the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. The lecture was attended by students of all specialties of the ER INAS and teachers. 

In her report, the lecturer revealed the intricacies of plant classification by phenological rhythms, in particular, she focused in detail on such groups as ephemeroids and hemi-ephemeroids. Specific examples, including spring whiteflower, common snowdrop and Bushe’s duckweed, showed how closely related species can have radically different rhythms of development.

A special place in the speech was occupied by a discussion of rare and protected species from the Red Book of Ukraine. Such unique plants as the multi-colored brandushka, Kuznetsov’s cyclamen and Geifel’s saffron are not only of scientific value, but also have important practical significance in medicine.

Considerable attention was paid to the analysis of the medicinal properties of ephemeroids listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (species of the genera Galanthus, Scilla, Bulbocodium). Data on physiologically active substances and the prospects for their pharmacological use were presented.

During the lecture, the need for a comprehensive approach to the protection of rare medicinal plants was emphasized, which provides for a strict ban on collecting, harvesting, selling and destroying their natural growth sites. Special attention should be paid to regular monitoring of populations, active implementation of conservation methods through cultivation in botanical gardens, as well as expansion of the network of protected areas. In addition, an important area of ​​conservation activity is the development and implementation of special methods of reproduction and breeding of these species in controlled conditions, which will allow preserving their genetic potential and ensuring the possibility of reintroduction into natural ecosystems.

This meeting was an example of how fundamental research finds practical application in various fields – from pharmacy and medicine to landscape design, agronomy and ecology. The open discussion after the lecture proved that the topic aroused lively interest among both students and experienced specialists.

We sincerely thank Ms. Tetiana for the scientific, informative and vivid lecture. We look forward to further cooperation and new meetings!

Department of Landscape Gardening and Ecology