CHAPTER 2:

PLANT
TAXONOMY
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 2

DEFINITION AND BACKGROUND

IMPORTANCE OF PLANT TAXONOMY

PLANT TAXONOMY SYSTEM

CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

TAXONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
 DEFINITION AND CHAPTER 2
BACKGROUND

Taxonomy is the systematic study or description on

variations among organisms in order to come out with
a classification system.

Organisms that are arranged into groups enable a

large population to be categorized and understood.

Taxonomy began about 300 years before Christ by

Theophratus (370-285 BC) . He is the father of Botany
due to his extensive writings on Plants.

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) is regarded as the

founder of taxonomy (father of taxonomy) till today.

THEOPHRATUS
IMPORTANCE OF PLANT CHAPTER 2
TAXONOMY

1. To arrange elements or taxa of plants into a more systematic manner so

that they can be better understood and could be used easily and more
effectively.

2. To arrange data or information and knowledge about plants.

3. To indicate the source and genetic relationship (phylogenetic), ancestry

and origin of plants.

4. To indicate the distribution and habitat of plants on earth and their

benefits. Importance of Plant Taxonomy.
PLANT TAXONOMY SYSTEM CHAPTER 2

1. DOMAIN – is the broadest category

and represents one of the three major
domains of life. It belong to Eukarya
domain and kingdom plantae.
PLANT TAXONOMY SYSTEM CHAPTER 2

2. KINGDOM – The highest and broadest

ANGIOSPERMS
category in plant taxonomy. All plants
belong to the kingdom plantae.

3. DIVISION/PHYLUM – This category

is used for the major branches within the GYMNOSPERMS
plant kingdom.
PLANT TAXONOMY SYSTEM CHAPTER 2

4. CLASS – Further division within the

Phylum. These are plant based on shared
characteristics.

5. ORDER – Orders are used to group

related families together.
PLANT TAXONOMY SYSTEM CHAPTER 2

6. FAMILY – Families group together

plants that are more closely related

7. GENUS – The genus is a more specific

group category, groupings similar species
together.

ROSACEA FAMILY
PLANT TAXONOMY SYSTEM CHAPTER 2

8. SPECIES – The most specific category

in plant taxonomy. It refers to individual
types of plants within a genus.

DOG ROSE (ROSA CANINA)

Let’s Look at HUMANS CHAPTER 2

1. Domain: Eukarya (since humans are eukaryotic organisms)

2. Kingdom: Animalia (because humans are animals)
3. Phylum: Chordata (since humans possess a notochord at some stage of
their development)
4. Class: Mammalia (because humans are mammals)
5. Order: Primates (since humans belong to the primate order)
6. Family: Hominidae (because humans belong to the hominid family)
7. Genus: Homo (because humans are part of the Homo genus)
8. Species: Homo sapiens (the specific species of humans)
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CHAPTER 2

1. Artificial system Based on growth habits and uses. A

primitive system 300 BC- AD 1500. Theophratus and
Dioscorides, Greece.
2. Mechanical system based on one or a few chosen
characteristics. 1580-1760. Caesalpino, Italy; Bauhin, Swiss;
Linnaeus, Sweden.
3. Natural system Based on many characteristics. 1760-1880.
Adanson, France; de Candolle, Swiss; Bentham and Hooker,
Britain.
4. Phylogenetic system Based on many characteristics, with
evolutionary interpretations. 1880-present. Engler, Germany;
Bessey, America; Hutchinson, Britain; Thorne, America.
 TAXONOMIC CHAPTER 2
CHARACTERISTICS

1. Morphology of Plant growth habit,

leaf arrangement and shape, flower
and fruit characteristics.
 TAXONOMIC CHAPTER 2
CHARACTERISTICS

2. Anatomy Secondary xylem

characteristics, epidermis including
trichomes and stomata.
 TAXONOMIC CHAPTER 2
CHARACTERISTICS

3. Palynology Pollen characteristics

including size, shape, aperture and
exine sculpture.
 TAXONOMIC CHAPTER 2
CHARACTERISTICS

4. Cytology The chromosome

number, structure and habit
 TAXONOMIC CHAPTER 2
CHARACTERISTICS

5. Chemical and molecular Alkaloid,

phenolic and amino acids contents.
Protein, enzyme and DNA
 THE END
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