Plant Taxonomy

Plant taxonomy is the science that deals with the identification, nomenclature and classification of plants. The term 'plant systematics' is often used synonymously with plant taxonomy but sometimes has the connotation of mainly using recently developed techniques such as chromosomal studies, electron microscopy or molecular biology to answer questions about plant relationships. We use the plant taxonomy developed by Linneaus who improved on the systems of his predecessors. Plant taxonomy remains an important and relevant aspect of modern botany. A disproportionate emphasis on the practice of plant taxonomy has to some extent caused the science to be seen solely as the activity of plant identification. This book attempts to redress the balance by providing an introduction to the taxonomic theory upon which the identification procedure is based. This book will be useful to students and teachers of Botany and Plant Science.