The Institute of Biology (IB) of the University of the Philippines Diliman’s College of Science (UPD-CS) hosted the Plant Morpho-ARTnatomy mini-exhibition, showcasing works by its Biology 101 students, in May 2026.

The displayed artworks featured plant specimens and structures studied by the students, rendered in various media — such as charcoal, watercolor, pencil, acrylic, oil and pastel — on surfaces including canvas, paper, wood, and boards. Students who participated in the exhibition received bonus points upon submitting their art.

Biology 101 faculty-in-charge Dr. Erika Marie Bascos shared that her passion for art inspired her to initiate the exhibition. “During the pandemic, my kids encouraged me to start painting. I found it relaxing and helpful for anxiety, and it came naturally to me given my background in teaching drawing-based courses,” she said.

Dr. Bascos explained that the specimens they encounter in class — whether freshly collected or preserved — require students to draw and label their parts. These serve as study plates that they can review for exams. She noted that the students are highly skilled at drawing, producing detailed work using pencil and pen. They complete these plates during class and submit them after sessions. This observation inspired her to showcase their work in an exhibition.

“I was surprised that so many students submitted, and that they each had different styles — some were crocheting, others made 3D works, and some used clay. What stood out to me was how patient they were. One student even said, ‘Ma’am, I can’t do it,’ but in the end, his work turned out to be one of the best,” Dr. Bascos added.

Most of her students had no prior experience making art, so she found it impressive that their outputs already looked skilled, even though it was their first time. The students had a whole semester to explore and were encouraged to choose whatever they wanted to create.

The artworks ranged from depictions of actual plants such as ferns and pitcher plants to their microscopic structures, including trichomes, plant crystals, and tissues.

“Some of them may also want to become scientific illustrators. That would be great because they already have a background in art, and they understand morphology and anatomy as students of biology,” she said.

Janine Patricia Omalin, one of the students who participated in the exhibition, said she enjoyed the activity. “I’ve been drawing ever since I was a kid. I made it during my break,” she added, while showing her drawing of Pinus echinata, the scientific name of shortleaf pine.

Another student, Althea Bernice Javier, painted stellate aerenchyma, a tissue composed of star-shaped cells with large, interconnected air spaces that allow the rapid circulation of oxygen and can be found in banana leaves. “It’s my first time painting. I used to draw before, but this is my first time painting. It was good to have the experience,” she shared.

Dr. Bascos hopes to teach the plant morphoanatomy laboratory again next semester and to hold another exhibition of her students’ artworks. Her students are also willing to donate their works to IB to help future Biology 101 students analyze the structure of plant specimens.

“What they produced was more than just artwork — it was proof that science and art can beautifully coexist,” she said. IB’s Biology 101 course discusses the morphology and anatomy of vascular plants.

The exhibit is open to the public until 24 July at the Institute of Biology.