PLANT TAXONOMY
Taxonomy is the scientific classification of living organisms that is based upon the system created in the 18th century by Carolus Linnaeus and uses the binominal nomenclature for each species. Thus, the scientific or botanical name of the common potato is Solanum tuberosum that is used worldwide. This name includes both the genus and species of the organism. This human endeavor was originally based upon morphological similarities and differences but recently enhanced by molecular DNA relationships. Changes to the phylogenetic tree occurs with more knowledge of the interrelationships of organisms.
All living organisms are divided into three Domains with plants, animals, protists and fungi belonging in Eukarya Domain. The kingdom Plantae can be further divided into the following taxa as similarities increase and number of plants included in each taxa decrease. Division or Phylum, Clades or Classes, Orders, Families, Genera, and Species. Flowering plants are classified in the Division of Angiosperms or Magnoliophyta. Flowering plant taxonomy is currently based upon the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system or APD IV updated in 2016. This system has split many plant families into new families and has moved some species into other families and genera because of the recent molecular developments and analysis of pollen morphology. Examples of such splitting can be seen in the old lily and figwort families.
Taxonomy is the scientific classification of living organisms that is based upon the system created in the 18th century by Carolus Linnaeus and uses the binominal nomenclature for each species. Thus, the scientific or botanical name of the common potato is Solanum tuberosum that is used worldwide. This name includes both the genus and species of the organism. This human endeavor was originally based upon morphological similarities and differences but recently enhanced by molecular DNA relationships. Changes to the phylogenetic tree occurs with more knowledge of the interrelationships of organisms.
All living organisms are divided into three Domains with plants, animals, protists and fungi belonging in Eukarya Domain. The kingdom Plantae can be further divided into the following taxa as similarities increase and number of plants included in each taxa decrease. Division or Phylum, Clades or Classes, Orders, Families, Genera, and Species. Flowering plants are classified in the Division of Angiosperms or Magnoliophyta. Flowering plant taxonomy is currently based upon the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system or APD IV updated in 2016. This system has split many plant families into new families and has moved some species into other families and genera because of the recent molecular developments and analysis of pollen morphology. Examples of such splitting can be seen in the old lily and figwort families.