Romania
The eighth international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2026 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
The Cluj Horticultural Days, organized by the Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, have reached their 5th edition. This event brings together businesses from horticulture, landscape architecture, tourism, and rural development to showcase their products and services to both the public and entrepreneurial communities. Throughout the event, a wide range of exhibitions and student-led activities highlight the latest innovations in horticulture, fostering interaction between students, young people, and industry professionals. These days offer an excellent opportunity to promote business initiatives and campus life. Activities include explorations of edibles plant, of microplants, the adaptation of exotic plants in different conditions, and creative transformations of plants using various tools and techniques. At the heart of it all lies a shared passion: plants.
Coordinator: Prof.dr. Mirela CORDEA
We invite you to an excursion into the invisible biology of medicinal and aromatic plants. Through a guided experience, participants will discover the fascinating mechanisms by which plants synthesize and store essential oils. Participants will be presented with a selection of medicinal and aromatic plants, along with essential oils obtained at USAMV Cluj-Napoca. They will have the opportunity to directly observe, through microscopy, specialized structures such as glandular trichomes — tiny structures responsible for the aromas and therapeutic properties of plants. By correlating anatomical structure with practical applications, the activity emphasizes the close connection between modern scientific research and the phytotherapeutic tradition, offering a unique perspective on the plant universe.
Coordinators: Prof. dr. Dan Vârban, Dr. ing. Vasile Horga
Beyond their role as a vibrant side dish, microgreens are a concentrated source of nutrients. Microgreens have been gaining popularity among researchers, nutritionists and chefs all around the world. This workshop explores the life cycle of these “superfoods” from seed selection to their incorporation into culinary dishes, highlighting their ability to transform the sensory and nutritional profile of any dish. Research confirms that microgreens are also a very good source of valuable nutrients, including concentrated vitamins (C, K and E), essential minerals like iron and zinc, and potent bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and sulforaphane a natural plant compound found in cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, kale, and radish). This session celebrates the cultural and creative transition to sustainable, high-impact ingredients, offering participants the opportunity to elevate gastronomy to a higher level through the specificity and vitality of microgreens.
Coordinator: Asist.prof. dr. Anamaria POP
Step into a living archive of botanical knowledge at the Botanical Museum and Scientific Herbarium of USAMV Cluj-Napoca. This experience invites visitors to explore over a century of scientific tradition, through herbarium sheets, valuable manuscripts and teaching materials preserved from the most important botanists in Romania. Special attention is paid to personalities such as Páter Béla, a founder of medicinal plant research, and Iuliu Prodan, whose work for over 60 years has shaped the understanding of Romanian flora. Through original manuscripts, preserved specimens and academic heritage, the guided tour reveals the living history of botany – with patience, rigor and vision. With over 30,000 herbarium sheets and unique historical collections, this experience offers more than observation – it creates a connection with the intellectual values, which continue to inspire botanical research today.
Coordinators: Prof. Dr. Rodica Vârban, Assist prof. Dr. Ioana Crișan, Dr. eng. Liliana Istrate
Everything begins with a small, seemingly fragile seed that is dispersed and reaches a site with favorable soil and environmental conditions. Under adequate moisture, temperature, and oxygen availability, the seed germinates and develops its first roots. A seedling emerges and continues to grow, responding to environmental conditions and competing for resources such as light, water, and nutrients. Over time, the plant develops into a tree, expanding its crown, strengthening its root system, and increasing its resistance to environmental stress factors. Only a proportion of trees reach large sizes and advanced ages due to competition, disturbances, and environmental constraints. Mature trees play an important ecological role by contributing to carbon storage, regulating microclimate, and providing habitat for numerous organisms. They may also become significant elements of the landscape and human communities.
Coordinators: Asist. prof. dr. Alina TRUŢĂ, Asist. prof.dr. Horia VLASIN
The “Al. Borza” Botanical Garden in Cluj-Napoca is organizing, on May 23 and 24, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM, an event dedicated to the diversity of plant seeds as part of “Cluj Days.” The event invites the general public to discover the fascinating world of the beginnings of plant life. Participants will take part in interactive games aimed at identifying plants based on images of their seeds, testing their attention and knowledge in an engaging and educational way.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to observe real seeds under the microscope and the binocular magnifying glass, discovering details invisible to the naked eye and gaining insight into their complexity and variety. The activity will be complemented by an accessible presentation on the process of seed formation, from pollination to maturation, highlighting their essential role in the plant life cycle and in biodiversity.
The activity will take place at the Botanical Garden’s stand during “Cluj Days”, and participation is free of charge.