Top 5 Botanists and Plant Classification

Here is a list of top five botanists who have contributed towards plant classification.

Botanist # 1. Carolus Linnaeus’s System of Plant Classification:

His system of classification is an artificial sexual system, which is based solely on the number and arrangement of the reproductive organs. A plant’s Class was determined by its stamens (male organs), and its Order by its pistils (female organs). This however, resulted in many groupings that seemed unnatural.

For example, the Order Mon Adelphia under the Class Monoecia includes plants with separate male and female flowers on the same plant and with multiple male organs joined onto one common base. This Order also includes conifers such as pines, firs, and cypresses, but also a few true flowering plants, such as the castor bean.

Plants without obvious sex organs were classified in the Class Cryptogamia, or “plants with a hidden marriage,” which lumped together the algae, lichens, fungi, mosses and other bryophytes, and ferns. Linnaeus thus, attached great significance to plant sexual reproduction and divided plants into 24 Classes, mainly on the basis of number, union and length of stamens.

Linnaeus was also the first person to use the binomial system of nomenclature. For him, species of organisms were real entities, which could be grouped into higher categories called genera (singular, genus). Part of Linnaeus’s innovation was the grouping of genera into higher taxa that were also based on shared similarities.

In his original system, Genera were grouped into Orders, Orders into Classes, and Classes into Kingdoms.

Earlier he believed that the Species was not only real, but unchangeable, but after observing how different species of plants might hybridize, to give rise to new species, he abandoned the concept that species were fixed and invariable, and suggested that some, perhaps most species in a genus might have arisen after the creation of the world, through hybridization.

An outline of Linnaeus system (Sexual system) of Classification:

Merits of Linnaeus’s System of Classification:

The only merit of Linnaeus system lies in the fact that it aids in the quick and easy identification by means of one or a few characters.

Demerits of Linnaeus’s System of Classification:

(a) Since this system is based on differences rather than on similarities of the sex organs, very often closely related plants have been placed in widely separated groups, while those quite different from each other have been placed in the same group.

(b) Affinities and relationships among the taxa have not been considered.

(c) There is no distinction between the Dicotyledones and Monocotyledones and have been mixed up and put together.

(d) The placement of Gymnosperms in the Class 14 (Didynamia) along with the angiosperm family Labiatae is most unsatisfactory.

Botanist # 2. John Ray’s System of Plant Classification:

Ray’s system was a “natural” system in which the classification of organisms reflected the Divine Order of creation. He classified plants on the basis of overall morphology. Thus, plants, which looked alike were grouped together and he recognized the fact that individual characters in themselves may or may not be worthwhile taxonomic features.

The classification in his book Methodus Plantarum Nova was based on flowers, seeds, fruits, and roots. His plant classification system was the first to divide flowering plants into Monocots and Dicots. Since this method considered more than one feature, it expressed the similarities between species more fully.

Ray was a devout Christian, who expounded his belief in “natural theology” the doctrine that the wisdom and power of God could be understood by studying His creation, the natural world.

Botanist # 3. Bessey’s System of Plant Classification:

In Bessey’s system of classification, the angiosperms have been divided into two Classes – Alternifoliae (Monocotyledoneae) and Oppositifoliae (Dicotyledoneae). The former has 2 Subclasses and 2 Orders and the latter has 2 Subclasses, 5 Superorders and 5 Orders.

Following in an outline of Bessey’s system of classification:

Class—:

Alternifoliae (Monocotyledoneae)

Subclass—:

Strobiloideae

Orders—:

Alismatales (Families – 1-9)

Liliales (Families – 10-22)

Arales (Families – 23-25)

Palmales (Family – 26)

Graminales (Families – 27-31)

Subclass—:

Cotyloideae

Orders—:

Hydrales (Family – 32)

Iridales (Families – 33-43)

Orchidales (Families – 44-45)

Class —:

Oppositifoliae (Dicotyledoneae)

Subclass —:

Strobiloideae

Superorder — Apopetalae — Polycarpellatae

Orders —:

Ranales (Families – 46-69)

Malvales (Families – 70-81)

Sarraceniales (Families – 82-83)

Geraniales (Families – 84-105)

Guttiferales (Families – 106-125)

Rhoeadales (Families – 126-132)

Caryophyllales (Families – 133-149)

Superorder —:

Sympetalae – Polycarpellatae

Orders —:

Ebenales (Families – 150-154)

Ericales (Families – 155-160)

Primulales (Families – 161-165)

Superorder —:

Sympetalae – Dicarpellatae

Orders —:

Gentianales (Families – 166-171)

Polemoniales (Families – 172-177)

Scrophulariales (Families – 178-187)

Lamiales (Families – 188-191)

Subclass —:

Cotyloideae

Superorder —:

Apopetalae

Orders —:

Rosales (Families – 192-214)

Myrtales (Families – 215-229)

Loasales (Families – 230-234)

Cactales (Families – 235)

Celastrales (Families – 236-259)

Sapindales (Families – 260-274)

Umbellales (Families – 275-277)

Superorder —:

Sympetalae

Orders —:

Rubiales (Families – 278-282)

Campanulafes (Families – 283-286)

Asterales (Families – 287-300)

Merits of Bessey’s System of Classification:

(a) Although Bessey initially followed Bentham and Hooker’s system of classification, he however did not place the Gymnosperms in between Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons as in Bentham and Hooker’s system.

(b) Bessey abolished Monochlamydeae from his system and distributed the families of Monochlamydeae in Oppositifoliae of Dicotyledons.

(c) Ranales, which are accepted as the primitive forms form the starting point of Bessey’s system.

(d) The families with superior ovary precede families with inferior ovary in this system.

Demerits of Bessey’s System of Classification:

(a) In this system, the monocots have been discussed prior to dicots, which is its greatest demerit.

(b) Hypogyny, perigyny and epigyny have been emphasized too much in this system.

Botanist # 4. Bentham and Hooker’s System of Plant Classification:

Sub-Group:

Dicotyledones (Leaves with reticulate venation, pentamerous flowers and seeds with two cotyledons, tap root system) Division I: Polypetalae (Corolla consisting of separate petals)

Series I:

Thalamiflorae (Sepals distinct, stamens many, hypogynous, disc absent)

Order 1:

Ranales:

(Carpels free, floral parts arranged in spiral, cyclic or spirocyclic manner)

Families:

1. Ranunculaceae,

2. Dilleniaceae,

3. Calycanthaceae,

4. Magno-liaceae,

5. Annonaceae,

6. Menispermaceae,

7.Berberidaceae,

8. Nymphaeaceae.

Order 2:

Parietales (Carpels united to form an unilocular ovary, parietal placentation)

Families :

9. Sarraceniaceae,

10. Papaveraceae,

11. Cruciferae,

12. Cappa-ridaceae,

13. Resedaceae,

14. Cistineae,

15. Violarieae,

16. Canellaceae,

17. Bixineae

Order 3:

Polygalinae (Syncarpous, ovary 2-locular)

Families :

18. Pittosporeae,

19. Tremandreae,

20. Polygaleae,

21. Vochysiaceae

Order 4:

Caryophyllinae (Free central placentation)

Families:

22. Frankeniaceae,

23. Caryophylleae,

24. Portulacaceae,

25. Tamariscinae

Order 5:

Guttiferales (Sepals imbricate, stamens many)

Families:

26. Elatinae,

27. Hypericinae,

28. Guttiferae,

29. Ternstroemiaceae,

30. Dipterocarpae,

31. Chlaenaceae

Order 6:

Malvales (Sepals valvate, usually numerous stamens, ovary with 3-8 carpels, axile placentation)

Families:

32. Malvaceae,

33. Sterculiaceae,

34. Tiliaceae

Series II:

Disciflorae (Calyx consisting of united or distinct sepals which may be free or adnate to ovary, stamens usually definite in number, hypogynous, disc present)

Order 7:

Geraniales (Pentamerous flowers, disc annular or broken into glands, androecium obdiplostemonous, multicarpellary ovary, syncarpous, axile placentation, ovules pendulous, raphe usually ventral)

Families:

35. Lineae,

36. Humiriaceae,

37. Malphighiaceae,

38. Zygo-phyllaceae,

39. Geraniaceae,

40. Rutaceae,

41. Simarubeae,

42. Ochnaceae,

43. Burseraceae,

44. Meliaceae,

45. Chailletiaceae

Order 8:

Olacales (Androecium diplostemonous, ovules pendulous, raphe usually dorsal)

Families:

46. Olacineae,

47. Ilicineae,

48. Cyrillaceae

Order 9:

Celastrales (Androecium haplostemonous, ovules erect, raphe ventral)

Families:

49. Celastrineae,

50. Stackhousieae,

51. Rhamneae,

52. Ampelidae

Order 10:

Sapindales (Androecium diplostemonous, ovules ascending, often 1-2 in each locule, raphe ventral or inverted, usually compound leaves, exstipulate, flowers usually in panicles)

Families:

53. Sapindaceae,

54. Sabiaceae,

55. Anacardiaceae Ordines anomali

56. Coriareae,

57. Moringaceae

Series III:

Calyciflorae (Sepals united, rarely free, petals in one or two series, perigynous or epigynous, ovary generally inferior)

Order 11:

Rosales (Indefinite stamens, often twice or more the number of petals, styles distinct)

Families:

58. Connaraceae,

59. Leguminosae,

60. Rosaceae,

61. Saxifra- gaceae,

62. Crassulaceae,

63. Droseraceae,

64. Hamamelideae,

65. Bruniaceae,

66. Halorageae

Order 12:

Myrtales (Usually definite stamens, Perigynous or epigynous, axile placentation)

Families:

67. Rhizophoraceae,

68. Combretaceae,

69. Myrtaceae,

70. Melastomaceae,

71. Lythraceae,

72. Onagraceae

Order 13:

Passiflorales (Leaves often much lobed and divided, tendril climbers, stamens 5, parietal placentation)

Families:

73. Samydaceae,

74. Loasaceae,

75. Turneraceae,

76. Passifloraceae,

77. Cucurbitaceae,

78. Bego- niaceae,

79. Datisceae

Order 14:

Ficoidales (Perianth undifferentiated, Ovules in basal or axile placentation)

Families:

80. Cactaceae,

81. Ficoideae

Order 15:

Umbellales (Umbel inflorescence)

Families:

82. Umbelliferae,

83. Araliaceae,

84. Comaceae

Division II:

Gamopetalae (Corolla partially or completely fused, perianth dichlamydeous, heterochlamydeous)

Series I:

Infereae (Inferior ovary, stamens as many as the petals and alternating with them)

Order 1:

Rubiales (Stamens epipetalous, distinct anthers, ovary with 2-many locules each with 1-many ovules)

Families:

85. Caprifoliaceae,

86. Rubiaceae

Order 2:

Asterales (Stamens epipetalous, distinct anthers or united, ovary with 1 locule with 1 ovule)

Families:

87. Valerianeae,

88. Dipsacaceae,

89. Calycereae,

90. Compositae

Order 3:

Campanales (Stamens not adnate to corolla, ovary with 2-6 locules each with many ovules)

Families:

91. Stylidaceae,

92. Goodenovieae,

93. Campanulaceae

Series II:

Heteromereae (Stamens in two or more series, epipetalous or free from corolla, superior ovary, carpels more than two)

Order 4:

Ericales (Stamens twice the number of corolla, or isomerous and alternating with them)

Families:

94. Ericaceae,

95. Vaccinieae,

96. Monotropeae,

97. Epacrideae,

98. Diapensiaceae,

99. Lennoaceae

Order 5:

Primulales (Stamens as many as corolla lobes and opposite them, ovary with 1 locule)

Families:

100. Plumbagineae,

101. Primulaceae,

102. Myrsineae

Order 6:

Ebenales (Stamens as many as corolla lobes or many and opposite them, ovary with 2-many locules)

Families:

103. Sapotaceae,

104. Ebenaceae,

105. Styraceae

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Series III:

Bicarpellatae (Stamens as many as corolla lobes and alternating with them or fewer, carpels two, ovary superior) Order 7. Gentianales (Leaves opposite, corolla actinomorphic)

Families:

106. Oleaceae,

107. Salvadoraceae,

108. Apocynaceae,

109. Asclepiadaceae,

110. Loganiaceae,

111. Gentia- naceae

Order 8:

Polemoniales (Leaves alternate, corolla actinomorphic)

Families:

112. Polemoniaceae,

113. Hydrophyllaceae,

114. Boragineae,

115. Convolvulaceae,

116. Solanaceae Order 9. Personales (Corolla zygomorphic, posterior stamen often reduced to staminode, ovules usually more than 4)

Families:

117. Scrophulariaceae,

118. Orobanchaceae,

119. Lentibulariaceae,

120. Columelliaceae,

121. Gesneriaceae,

122. Bignoniaceae,

123. Pedaliaceae,

124. Acanthaceae

Order 10:

Lamiales (Corolla zygomorphic, posterior stamen reduced, ovules 4)

Families:

125. Myoporineae,

126. Selagineae,

127. Verbenaceae,

128. Labiatae

Ordines anomaly:

129. Plantagineae

Division III:

Monochlamydeae or Incompletae (Presence of one or incomplete whorl of perianth or perianth altogether absent, sepaloid perianth, petals absent) It has no sub-division into cohorts (orders) but includes eight series.

Series 1:

Curvembryeae (Ovule generally one, embryo coiled, seeds mostly with mealy endosperm)

Families:

130. Nyctaginaceae,

131. Illecebraceae,

132. Amaran- thaceae,

133. Chenopodiaceae,

134. Phytolaccaceae,

135. Batideae,

136. Polygonaceae

Series 2:

Multiovulatae Aquaticae (Ovary syncarpous, ovules many, plants aquatic)

Family:

137. Podostemaceae Series 3. Multiovulatae Terrestries (Ovary syncarpous, ovules many, plants terrestrial)

Families:

138. Nepenthaceae,

139. Cytinaceae,

140. Aristolo- chiaceae

Series 4:

Microembryeae (Embryo very minute, ovary apocarpous or syncarpous with single ovule)

Families:

141. Piperaceae,

142. Chloranthaceae,

143. Myristi- chaceae,

144. Monimiaceae

Series 5:

Daphnales (Woody or herbaceous plants, sepaloid perianth, stamens perigynous, ovary with one carpel and 2-4 ovuled)

Families:

145. Laurineae,

146. Proteaceae,

147. Thymeleaceae,

148. Penaeaceae,

149. Elaeagnaceae

Series 6:

Achlamydosporeae (Usually inferior ovary, one locule, with 1-3 ovules, seeds endospermic, without testa)

Families:

150. Loranthaceae,

151. Santalaceae,

152. Balanopho- raceae

Series 7:

Unisexuales (Flowers unisexual, perianth usually absent)

Families:

153. Euphorbiaceae,

154. Balanopseae,

155. Urticaceae,

156. Platanaceae,

157. Leitneriaceae,

158. Juglan- daceae,

159. Myricaceae,

160. Casuarinaceae,

161. Cupuliferae Ordines anomali (families of uncertain relationship)

Families:

162. Salicinae,

163. Lacistemaceae,

164. Empetraceae,

165. Ceratopbyllaceae

Sub-Group:

Gymnosperms (naked seeded plants)

Families:

166. Gnetaceae,

167. Coniferae,

168. Cycadaceae

Sub-Group:

Monocotyledones (leaves with parallel venation, trimerous flowers, seeds with one cotyledon)

Series 1:

Microspermae (Inner perianth lobes petaloid, inferior ovary, seeds minute, many, exalbuminous) Families :

169. Hydrocharitaeae,

170. Burmanniaceae,

171. Orchidaceae

Series 2:

Epigynae (Perianth biseriate, inner petaloid, inferior ovary, seeds large, few to many)

Families:

172. Scitamineae,

173. Bromeliaceae,

174. Haemo- doraceae,

175. Irideae,

176. Amaryllideae,

177. Tacca- ceae,

178. Dioscoreaceae

Series 3:

Coronarieae (Perianth biseriate, inner whorl petaloid, superior ovary, seeds albuminous)

Families:

179. Roxburghiaceae,

180. Liliaceae,

181. Ponte- deriaceae,

182. Philydraceae,

183. Xyridaceae,

184. Mayaceae,

185. Commelinaceae,

186. Rapataceae

Series 4:

Calycinae (Perianth biseriate, sepaloid, superior ovary, seeds albuminous)

Families:

187. Flagellarieae,

188. Juncaceae,

189. Palmae

Series 5:

Nudiflorae (Perianth usually absent or reduced, superior ovary, seeds albuminous)

Families:

190. Pandanea,

191. Cyclanthaceae,

192. Typhaceae,

193. Aroideae,

194. Lemnaceae

Series 6:

Apocarpae (Perianth in 1-2 series or absent, superior ovary, carpels free, one or more, apocarpous, seeds exalbuminous)

Families:

195. Triurideae,

196. Alismataceae,

197. Naiadaceae

Series 7:

Glumaceae (Minute flowers, perianth reduced, bracts large, scaly, ovary or locules with 1 ovule).

Families:

198. Eriocaulaceae,

199. Centrolepidiaceae,

200. Restiaceae,

201. Cyperaceae,

202. Gramineae

Merits of Bentham and Hooker’s System of Classification:

(a) Bentham and Hooker system is the first great natural system of plant classification.

(b) Though this system is not very natural, yet it is very easily workable, and is important from the point of view of its field applications.

(c) This system has been worked out as a result of very careful comparative observations of all known genera of phanerogams and not copied from other available literature.

(d) It was accepted by the entire British Empire, USA and other European countries.

(e) Greater emphasis has been laid on the contrast between free and united petals in this system e.g. the class Dicotyledones is divided into three sub-classes- 1. Polypetalae, 2. Gamopetalae and 3. Monochlamydeae.

(f) A special feature of this system is the addition of Disciflorae, and a totally new arrangement of dividing certain groups on the basis of aquatic and terrestrial characteristics of the plants.

(g) In this system, the Monocots are derived from Dicots and in the class Monocotyledons more importance is given to the relative position of ovary and perianth characteristics.

Demerits of Bentham and Hooker’s System of Classification:

(a) This system does not indicate phylogentic relationship among different taxa of plants.

(b) The position of Gymnosperms between Dicots and Monocots is only for the sake of convenience rather than an indication of affinities, which is its foremost demerit.

(c) This system is based mainly on single and mostly artificial (morphological) characters, with the result that many closely related families are widely separated from each other and have been placed under different Orders (cohorts). Similarly unrelated families have been grouped nearer.

(d) The position of the Orchidaceae and Scitamineae at the beginning of the Monocots is not satisfactory as Orchidaceae is an advanced family, and in this system it has been considered primitive and placed at the beginning.

(e) In Monocots, much stress is laid on the relative position of the ovary and perianth characters in determining the affinities, which is unnatural and unphylogenetic.

(f) The origin of angiosperms is not clear.

Botanist # 5. Engler and Prantl’s System of Plant Classification:

Engler and Pranti divided the plant kingdom into 14 divisions:

1. Schizophyta

2. Myxothallophyta

3. Flagellatae

4. Dinoflagellatae

5. Bacillariophyta

6. Conjugatae

7. Heterocontae

8. Chlorophyceae

9. Charophyta

10. Phaeophyceae

11. Rhodophyceae

12. Eumycetes

13. Archegoniatae or Embryophyta – Asiphonogama

14. Embryophyta – Siphonogama

Subdivision –:

Angiospermae

Class 1:

Monocotyledoneae

Order 1:

Pandanales

Families:

1. Typhaceae,

2. Pandanaceae,

3. Sparganiaceae

Order 2:

Helobiae

Families:

4. Potamogetonaceae,

5. Najadaceae,

6. Aponogetonaceae,

7. Scheuchzeriaceae,

8. Alismaceae,

9. Butomaceae,

10. Hydrocharitaceae

Order 3:

Triuridales

Family :

11. Triuridaceae

Order 4:

Glumiflorae

Families:

12. Gramineae,

13. Cyperaceae

Order 5:

Principes

Family:

14. Palmae

Order 6:

Synanthae

Family:

15. Cyclanthaceae

Order 7:

Spathiflorae

Families:

16. Araceae,

17. Lemnaceae

Order 8:

Farinosae

Families:

18. Flagllariaceae,

19. Restionaceae,

20. Centrolepidaceae,

21. Mayacaceae,

22. Xyridaceae,

23. Eriocaulaceae,

24. Thurniaceae,

25. Rapateaceae,

26. Bromeliaceae,

27. Commelinaceae,

28. Pontederiaceae,

29. Cyanastraceae,

30. Philydraceae

Order 9:

Liliflorae

Families:

31. Juncaceae,

32. Stemonaceae,

33. Liliaceae,

34. Haemodoraceae,

35. Amaryllidaceae,

36. Velloziaceae,

37. Taccaceae,

38. Dioscoreaceae,

39. Iridaceae

Order 10:

Scitamineae

Families:

40. Musaceae,

41. Zingiberaceae,

42. Cannaceae,

43. Marantaceae Order 11. Microspermae

Families:

44. Burmanniaceae, 45. Orchidaceae

Class 2:

Dicotyledoneae

Subclass 1:

Archichlamydeae

Orders: 1

Verticillatae

Family:

46. Casuarinaceae

Order 2:

Piperales

Families:

47. Saururaceae,

48. Piperaceae,

49. Chloranthaceae,

50. Lacistemaceae

Order 3:

Salicales

Family:

51. Salicaceae

Order 4:

Garryales

Family:

52. Garryaceae

Order 5:

Myricales

Family:

53. Myricaceae

Order 6:

Balanopsidales

Family:

54. Balanopsidaceae

Order 7:

Leitneriales

Family:

55. Leitneriaceae

Order 8:

Juglandales

Family:

56. Juglandaceae

Order 9:

Batidales

Family:

57. Batidaceae

Order 10:

Julianiales

Family:

58. Julianaceae

Order 11:

Fagales

Families:

59. Betulaceae,

60. Fagaceae

Order 12:

Urticales

Families:

61. Ulmaceae,

62. Moraceae,

63. Urticaceae

Order 13:

Proteales

Family:

64. Proteaceae

Order 14:

Santanales

Families:

65. Myzodendraceae,

66. Santalaceae,

67. Opiliaceae,

68. Grubbiaceae,

69. Olacaceae,

70. Octoknemataceae,

71. Loranthaceae,

72. Balanophoraceae

Order 15:

Aristolochiales

Families:

73. Aristolochiaceae,

74. Rafflesiaceae,

75. Hydnoraceae

Order 16:

Polygonales

Family:

76. Polygonaceae

Order 17:

Centrospermae

Families:

77. Chenopodiaceae,

78. Amararithaceae,

79. Nyctagi- naceae

80. Cynocrambaceae,

81. Phytolaccaceae,

82. Aizoaceae,

83. Portulacaceae,

84. Basellaceae,

85. Caryophyllaceae

Order 18:

Ranales

Families:

86. Nymphaeaceae,

87. Ceratophyllaceae,

88. Trochoden- draceae,

89. Cercidiphyllaceae,

90. Ranunculaceae,

91. Lardizabalaceae,

92. Berberidaceae,

93. Menisper- maceae,

94. Magnoliaceae,

95. Calycanthaceae,

96. Lactoridaceae,

97. Annonaceae,

98. Eupomatiaceae,

99. Myristicaceae,

100. Gomortegaceae,

101. Monimiaceae,

102. Lauraceae,

103. Hernandiaceae

Order 19:

Rhoeadales

Families:

104. Papaveraceae,

105. Capparidaceae,

106. Cruciferae,

107. Tovariaceae,

108. Resedaceae,

109. Moringaceae

Order 20:

Sarraceniales

Families:

110. Sarraceniaceae,

111. Nepenthaceae,

112. Droseraceae

Order 21:

Rosales

Families:

113. Podostemaceae,

114. Tristichaceae,

115. Hydrostac- hyaceae,

116. Crassulaceae,

117. Cephalotaceae,

118. Saxifragaceae,

119. Pittosporaceae,

120. Brunelliaceae,

121. Cunoniaceae,

122. Myrothamnaceae,

123. Bruniaceae,

124. Hamamelidaceae,

125. Eucommiaceae,

126. Plata- naceae,

127. Crossosomataceae,

128. Rosaceae,

129. Conna- raceae,

130. Leguminosae

Order 22:

Pandanales

Family:

131. Pandanaceae

Order 23:

Geraniales

Families:

132. Geraniaceae,

133. Oxalidaceae,

134. Tropaeolaceae,

135. Linaceae,

136. Humiriaceae,

137. Erythroxylaceae,

138. Zygophyllaceae,

139. Cneoraceae,

140. Rutaceae,

141. Simarubiaceae,

142. Burseraceae,

143. Meliaceae,

144. Malpighiaceae,

145. Trigoniaceae,

146. Vochysiaceae,

147. Tremandraceae,

148. Polygalaceae,

149. Dicha- petalaceae,

150. Euphorbiaceae,

151. Calitrichaceae

Order 24:

Sapindales

Families:

152. Empetraceae,

153. Coriariaceae,

154. Limnanthaceae,

155. Anacardiaceae,

156. Cyrillaceae,

157. Buxaceae,

158. Pentaphylacaceae,

159. Corynocarpaceae,

160. Aquifo- liaceae,

161. Celastraceae,

162. Hippocrateaceae,

163. Sal- vadoraceae,

164. Stackhousiaceae,

165. Staphyleaceae,

166. Icacinaceae,

167. Aceraceae,

168. Hippocastanaceae,

169. Sapindaceae,

170. Sabiaceae,

171. Melianthaceae,

172. Balsaminaceae

Order 25:

Rhamnales

Families:

173. Rhamnaceae,

174. Vitaceae

Order 26:

Malvales

Families:

175. Elaeocarpaceae,

176. Chlaenaceae,

177. Gonystilaceae,

178. Tiliaceae,

179. Malvaceae,

180. Bombataceae,

181. Sterculiaceae,

182. Scytopetalaceae

Order 27:

Parietales

Families:

183. Dilleniaceae,

184. Eucryphiaceae,

185. Ochnaceae,

186. Caryocaraceae,

187. Marcgraviaceae,

188. Quiinaceae,

189. Theaceae,

190. Guttiferae,

191. Dipterocarpaceae,

192. Elatinaceae,

193. Frankeniaceae,

194. Tamaricaceae,

195. Fouquieriaceae,

196. Cistaceae,

197. Bixaceae,

198. Cochlospermaceae,

199. Winteraceae,

200. Violaceae,

201. Flacourtiaceae,

202. Stachyuraceae,

203. Turneraceae,

204. Malesherbiaceae,

205. Passifloraceae,

206. Acha- riaceae,

207. Datiscaceae,

208. Begoniaceae,

209. Ancis- trocladaceae

Order 28:

Opuntiales

Family:

210. Cactaceae

Order 29:

Myrtiflorae

Families:

211. Geissolomataceae,

212. Penaeaceae,

213. Oliniaceae,

214. Thymeleaceae,

215. Elaeagnaceae,

216. Lythraceae,

217. Sonneratiaceae,

218. Punicaceae,

219. Lecythidaceae,

220. Rhizophoraceae,

221. Nyssaceae,

222. Alangiaceae,

223. Combretaceae,

224. Myrtaceae,

225. Melastomaceae,

226. Onagraceae,

227. Haloragidaceae,

228. Hippuri-daceae,

229. Cynomoriaceae

Order 30:

Umbelliflorae

Families:

230. Araliaceae,

231. Umbeliferae,

232. Cornaceae Subclass 2. Metachlamydeae (Sympetalae)

Order:

1. Ericales

Families:

233. Clethraceae,

234. Pyrolaceae,

235. Lemnoaceae,

236. Ericaceae,

237. Epacridaceae,

238. Diapensiaceae

Order 2:

Primulales

Families:

239. Theophrastaceae,

240. Myrsinaceae,

241. Primulaceae

Order 3:

Plumbaginales

Family:

242. Plumbaginaceae

Order 4:

Ebenales

Families:

243. Sapotaceae,

244. Ebenaceae,

245. Symplocaceae,

246. Styracaceae

Order 5:

Contortae

Families:

247. Oleaceae, 248. Loganiaceae, 249. Gentianaceae, 250. Apocynaceae, 251. Asclepiadaceae

Order 6:

Tubiflorae

Families:

252. Convolvulaceae,

253. Polemoniaceae,

254. Hydro-phyllaceae,

255. Boraginaceae,

256. Verbenaceae,

257. Labiata,

258. Nolanaceae,

259. Solanaceae,

260. Scrophulariaceae,

261. Bignoniaceae,

262. Peda-liaceae,

263. Martyniaceae,

264. Orobanchaceae,

265. Gesneriaceae,

266. Columelliaceae,

267. Lenti-bulariaceae,

268. Globulariaceae,

269. Acanthaceae,

270. Myoporaceae,

271. Phrymaceae

Order 7:

Plantaginales

Family:

272. Plantaginaceae

Order 8:

Rubiales

Families:

273. Rubiaceae,

274. Caprifoliaceae,

275. Adoxaceae,

276. Valerianaceae,

277. Dipsacaceae

Order 9:

Cucurbitales

Family:

278. Cucurbitaceae

Order 10:

Campanulatae

Families:

279. Campanulaceae,

280. Goodeniaceae,

281. Bruno-niaceae,

282. Stylidiaceae,

283. Calyceraceae,

284. Com- positae

An Outline of Engler and Prantl’s System of Classification:

Merits of Engler and Prantl’s System of Classification:

(a) Engler’s system gives a broad description of the whole plant kingdom and has been excellently arranged into orders and families in a phylogenetic way.

(b) It is very convenient and well known and has been accepted in every part of the world.

(c) The gymnosperms have been treated separately.

(d) Bentham and Hooker’s system’s Polypetalae and Monochlamydeae have been completely abolished, and have been merged into one single subclass Archichlamydeae in this system.

(e) The treatment of orchids as a more highly evolved group than grasses is satisfactory.

(f) This system provides abundant illustrations and descriptions along with exhaustive keys of families and orders, and the description of each family also contains a summary of embryology, morphology, anatomy and geographical distribution.

Demerits of Engler and Prantl’s System of Classification:

(a) This system obscures the’phylogeny of angiosperms, which according to Engler, has a polyphyletic origin from an unknown and hypothetical taxon of extinct gymnosperms.

(b) The acceptance of the derivation of dichlamydous flowers from monochlamydous ones is objectionable.

(c) In this system, Monocots have been considered to be more primitive than Dicots and have been placed before Dicots, which does not correspond to the present day knowledge.

(d) Derivation of bisexual flowers from unisexual flowers and parietal placentation from axile placentation are unsatisfactory.

(e) A primitive order Helobiae has been placed between two more advanced orders, the Pandanales and Glumiflorae in this system, which is not satisfactory.

(f) This system places Araceae before Liliaceae, although Araceae are derived from Liliaceae, which is unsatisfactory.

(g) The position of Amentiferae and Centrospermae at the beginning of Dicots before Ranales is unsatisfactory.