Plant taxonomy and plant systematics are inextricably linked, and there is no clear distinction between the two fields. In practise, “plant systematics” is concerned with the links between plants and their evolution, particularly at the higher levels of classification, whereas “plant taxonomy” is concerned with the practical handling of plant specimens. Nevertheless, the precise link between taxonomy and systematics has evolved over time, changing in tandem with the goals and methodologies used.
Plant taxonomy is well-known for being unstable, and for historically failing to reach a consensus on the circumscription and placement of taxa within a species.
Classification systems serve the function of classifying organisms based on features that are shared by all of their members. There are several characteristics that distinguish plants from animals, including the presence of cellulose cell walls, polyploidy, and the presence of sedentary growth. Whereas animals must consume organic molecules, plants, through the process of photosynthesis, are able to convert light energy into organic energy without the need for food. The basic unit of categorization is the species, which is a collection of organisms that are capable of reproducing amongst themselves and that are genetically related; a broader classification is the genus, which is a group of organisms that are not genetically related.
The identification, classification, and description of plants are the three main objectives of plant taxonomy. The contrast between these three objectives is critical, yet it is frequently missed.
Identification, classification and description of plant
Plant identification
identification is the process of determining the identity of an unknown plant by comparing it to previously collected specimens or by consulting books or identification manuals. By using a published name, the specimen is linked to a specific individual during the identification procedure. A plant specimen’s name and attributes are known once it has been identified as a specimen of that species.
Plant classification
Placement of well-known plants into groups or categories in order to demonstrate a connection Using a set of standards that standardised the results and arranges consecutive categories into a hierarchy, scientists classify things in a scientific way. For example, the lily family is divided into the following sub-classifications:
Magnoliophyta is a division of the kingdom Plantae.
Liliopsida is the scientific name for this group of plants.
Order: Liliales; Family: Liliaceae; Genus: Liliales
The classification of plants results in an ordered system for naming and cataloguing future specimens, and it should ideally represent scientific views about the inter-relationships between different types of plants and animals. The International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN) governs the set of rules and recommendations for formal botanical nomenclature, which includes plants. The ICN is abbreviated as International Code of Nomenclature.
Plant description
Plant description is the formal description of a recently found species, which is normally done in the form of a scientific publication that follows the International Commission on Plant Description rules.The names of these plants are then registered on the International Plant Names Index along with all other validly published names.Phytoplankton are multicellular organisms that are members of the kingdom Plantae and that produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. There are approximately 300,000 species of plants, with grasses, trees, as well as shrubs being some of the more frequent types of vegetation. Throughout the world’s ecosystems, plants play a critical role.
Father of plant taxonomy
Linnaeus is often regarded as the “Father of Taxonomy.” Identify the following other botanists who have made significant contributions to the discipline of plant classification.Known as the Father of Plant Taxonomy, Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) was a Swedish botanist who lived from 1707 to 1778. In the book Genera plantarum, he reported his research (1737). G. Bentham as well as Joseph Dalton Hooker are the other two botanists. These two scientists are well-known for their research on the taxonomy of vegetation inspired by the natural properties.
Importance of Plant Taxonomy
The following are examples of the significance of taxonomy:-
1.It contributes to the determination of the total number of living things on the planet. Up to this point, scientists have identified and catalogued over one hundred thousand species of animals and plants.
2.Its goal is to categorise and organise biological organisms. It is possible to understand millions of species better because they have been scientifically categorised into different types.
3.It assists us in gaining an understanding of the characteristics seen in animals and plants.
4.It provides an indication of the chronological order of physical growth.
5.It provides an overview of the local flora and fauna, which assists us in distinguishing between endemic and non-endemic species.
Conclusion
Plant taxonomy aids in the determination of evolutionary relationships and also an organised grouping of morphologic traits provides a complete understanding of these qualities. It also aids in the identification of recently found species.The identification, classification, and description of plants are the three main objectives of plant taxonomy. The contrast between these three objectives is critical, yet it is frequently missed.The categorization of plants has enabled it to make it simpler for humans to research the numerous kinds of plants species that live on the planet, as well as the development of those species. Monocots and dicots, as well as Angiosperms as well as gymnosperms, are among the classifications used to classify plant groups. A large number of groupings or categories are found within the kingdom Plantae.