List of systems of plant taxonomy

Linné-Systema Naturae 1735

List of Systems of Plant Taxonomy outlines various systems that have been used to classify plant species. Plant taxonomy is the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants. It is one of the main branches of taxonomy. The systems of plant taxonomy have evolved over time, from early systems based on morphological characteristics to modern systems that also use genetic data.

Pre-Linnaean Systems

Before the work of Carl Linnaeus, plants were classified according to their medicinal or culinary uses. Early systems were informal and not based on the structural or morphological characteristics of plants. These systems were primarily descriptive and lacked the scientific rigor of later classifications.

Linnaean System

The Linnaean system, developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, introduced the binomial nomenclature and laid the foundation for modern plant taxonomy. Linnaeus classified plants based on the number and arrangement of their reproductive organs, particularly stamens and pistils. This system was detailed in his works Species Plantarum and Genera Plantarum.

Post-Linnaean Systems

After Linnaeus, several systems were proposed to improve or replace the Linnaean system. These include:

• Candolle System: Proposed by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, it emphasized the importance of plant morphology in classification.
• Bentham and Hooker System: Developed by George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker, this system was detailed in their work Genera Plantarum. It classified plants based on their entire morphology rather than just reproductive organs.
• Engler System: Proposed by Adolf Engler, the Engler system was based on evolutionary relationships among plants, making it one of the first phylogenetic classification systems.
• Cronquist System: Developed by Arthur Cronquist, this system was widely used in the late 20th century and focused on both morphological and molecular data.

Modern Systems

Modern systems of plant taxonomy often rely on genetic data, along with morphological characteristics. These include:

• APG System: The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) system is based on DNA sequence analysis and has been updated several times since its first publication in 1998. The latest version, APG IV, reflects current understanding of angiosperm phylogeny.
• PhyloCode: An alternative to traditional Linnaean taxonomy, PhyloCode focuses on the cladistic classification of plants based on their evolutionary relationships.

Challenges and Future Directions

The field of plant taxonomy faces several challenges, including the need for a comprehensive understanding of plant biodiversity and the integration of molecular data with traditional morphological classification methods. Future directions may involve the development of a unified classification system that incorporates both phylogenetic relationships and morphological characteristics.