SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 1

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION

In this unit you have learnt that:

Classification of organisms is the basic method, employed by us to organise the external world.

The various systems of classification are grouped into artificial, natural and phylogenetic ones. The system

proposed by Linnaeus is one of the best examples of artificial system. In all, Linnaeus recognised 24

classes in his system.

In natural system of classification, two British Botanists namely Bentham and Hooker proposed a system of

classification, which is chiefly based on the Form-Relationship. In all 202 families were recognised in this

system. The starting family being Ranunculaceae and Poaceae (Graminae) being the ending family of the

system.

Phylogenetic system of classification are those where plants are grouped according to their evolutionary

and genetic affinities. The most popular systems under this category are the systems of classification by

two German Botanists, Engler and Prantl, British Botanist, John Hutchinson and Russian Botanist,

Takhtajan.

In the case of Engler and Prantl system of classification, unisexual, naked flowers in catkin are considered

as the most primitive type of flowers. In this system the position of Gymnosperms just before the

Angiosperms is an important point of merit. As a whole 303 families of flowering plants are recognised in

this system.

Hutchinsonsy stem is mainly based on 24 phyletic dicta. He traced 2 lines of development of Dicots viz

Lignosae (Woody Plants) and Herbaceae (Herbaceous plants). As a whole 111 osders and 420 families are

included in this system.

Takhtajan proposed the system of classification in 1942 and then revised and modified several times. The

most recent version of the system appeared in 1980. He coined new terms for Dicots and Monocots and

named them Magnoliopsida and Liliopsida respectively. He recognised 419 families of flowering plants in

his system of classification.

A. MICHEL ADANSON (1727-1806)

A French botanist was first to formulate a natural system of classification.in his book families des plant

(1973) Adanson considered different characters and also affinities among various group while

arranging and classifying plants. He was poinner in identifying ORDERs and families.Adanson also

known for his contribution in the field of numerical taxonomy and described as the father of numerical

taxonomy

B. ROBERT BROWN (1773-1858)

Robert Brown was an English botanis,who did not purpose a classification of his own but demonstrated

that Gymnosperm were a group discrete from dicotyledons and had naked ovules.He also clarified the

floral morphology and pollination of asclepiadaceae, morphology of grass flower structure of cyathium in

euporbiaceae and etabilished several families

C. WETTSTEIN (1862-1931)

A system of plant taxonomy, the Wettstein system recognised the following main groups.

According to R. Wettstein (4th edition, 1935). Handbuch der Systematischen Botanik.

I. phylum Schizophyta 1. classis Schizophyceae

2. classis Schizomycetes

II. phylum Monadophyta

III. phylum Myxophyta

IV. phylum Conjugatophyta

V. phylum Bacillariophyta

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 2

VI. phylum Conjugatae

VII. phylum Rhodophyta 1. classis Bangieae

2. classis Florideae

VIII. phylum Euthallophyta

1. classis Chlorophyceae

2. classis Fungi

A. Eumycetes

1. subclassis Phycomycetes

2. subclassis Ascomycetes

3. subclassis Basidiomycetes

B. Lichenes

1. subclassis Ascolichenes

2. subclassis Basidiolichenes

IX. phylum Cormophyta I. divisio Archegoniatae

1. subdivisio Bryophyta

1. classis Musci

2. classis Hepaticae

2. subdivisio Pteridophyta

1. classis Psilophytinae

2. classis Lycopodiinae

3. classis Psilotinae

4. classis Articulatae

5. classis Filicinae

II. divisio Anthophyta

1. subdivisio Gymnospermae

1. classis Pteridospermae

2. classis Cycadinae

3. classis Benettitinae

4. classis Cordaïtinae

5. classis Ginkgoinae

6. classis Coniferae

7. classis Gnetinae

2. subdivisio Angiospermae

1. classis Dicotyledones

1. subclassis Choripetalae

A. Monochlamideae

B. Dialypetalae

2. subclassis Sympetalae

2. classis Monocotyledones

Gymnospermae

1. subdivisio

Gymnospermae

1. classis

Pteridospermae (fossil

only)

2. classis Cycadinae

1. familia Cycadaceae

2. familia Zamiaceae

3. classis Benettitinae

(fossil only)

4. classis Cordaïtinae

(fossil only)

5. classis Ginkgoinae

1. familia

Ginkgoaceae

A. Monochlamideae

1. ordo Verticillatae

familia Casuarinaceae

2. ordo Fagales

1. familia Betulaceae

2. familia Fagaceae

3. ordo Myricales

familia Myricaceae

4. ordo Leitneriales

familia Leitneriaceae

5. ordo Juglandales

1. familia Julianiaceae

2. familia Juglandaceae

6. ordo Salicales

familia Salicaceae

7. ordo Batidales

familia Batidaceae [sic, now Bataceae]

8. ordo Balanopsidales

familia Balanopsidaceae [sic, now

Balanopaceae]

9. ordo Urticales

1. familia Moraceae

2. familia Cannabaceae

3. familia Ulmaceae

4. familia Eucommiaceae

5. familia Rhoipteleaceae

6. familia Urticaceae

10. ordo Piperales

familia Piperaceae

incertae sedis

familia Saururaceae

familia Chloranthaceae

familia Lacistemonaceae

11. ordo Proteales

familia Proteaceae

12. ordo Santalales

1. familia Santalaceae

2. familia Grubbiaceae

3. familia Opiliaceae

4. familia Octoknemaceae

5. familia Olacaceae

6. familia Myzodendraceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 3

6. classis Coniferae

1. familia

Taxaceae

2. familia

Cupressaceae

3. familia

Abietaceae

7. classis Gnetinae

1. familia

Ephedraceae

2. familia

Gnetaceae

3. familia

Welwitschiaceae

Angiospermae

2. subdivisio

Angiospermae

1. classis

Dicotyledones

1. subclassis

Choripetalae

7. familia Loranthaceae

8. familia Balanophoraceae

9. familia Cynomoriaceae

13. ordo Polygonales

familia Polygonaceae

14. ordo Centrospermae

1. familia Chenopodiaceae

2. familia Amaranthaceae

3. familia Phytolaccaceae

4. familia Thelygonaceae

5. familia Nyctaginaceae

6. familia Aizoaceae

7. familia Cactaceae

[sic]

9. familia Portulacaceae

10. familia Basellaceae

11. familia Caryophyllaceae

15. ordo Tricoccae

1. familia Euphorbiaceae

2. familia Daphniphyllaceae

3. familia Dichapetalaceae

4. familia Buxaceae

5. familia Callitrichaceae

16. ordo Hamamelidales

1. familia Hamamelidaceae

2. familia Cercidiphyllaceae

3. familia Eupteleaceae

4. familia Platanaceae

5. familia Myrothamnaceae

[sic]

B. Dialypetalae

18. ordo Polycarpicae

1. familia Magnoliaceae

2. familia Trochodendraceae

3. familia Lactoridaceae

4. familia Himantandraceae

5. familia Eupomatiaceae

6. familia Anonaceae [sic, now:

Annonaceae]

7. familia Myristicaceae

8. familia Canellaceae

9. familia Aristolochiaceae

10. familia Rafflesiaceae

11. familia Hydnoraceae

12. familia Calycanthaceae

13. familia Gomortegaceae

14. familia Monimiaceae

15. familia Lauraceae

16. familia Hernandiaceae

17. familia Menispermaceae

18. familia Lardizabalaceae

19. familia Ranunculaceae

20. familia Berberidaceae

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21. familia Nymphaeaceae

22. familia Ceratophyllaceae

incertae sedis

23. familia Nepenthaceae

24. familia Cephalotaceae

25. familia Sarraceniaceae

19. ordo Rhoeadales

1. familia Papaveraceae

2. familia Tovariaceae

3. familia Capparidaceae [sic, now

Capparaceae]

4. familia Cruciferae

5. familia Resedaceae

6. familia Moringaceae

20. ordo Parietales

1. familia Cistaceae

2. familia Bixaceae

3. familia Cochlospermaceae

4. familia Tamaricaceae

5. familia Fouquieriaceae

6. familia Frankeniaceae

7. familia Elatinaceae

8. familia Droseraceae

9. familia Violaceae

10. familia Flacourtiaceae

11. familia Stachyuraceae

12. familia Turneraceae

13. familia Malesherbiaceae

14. familia Passifloraceae

15. familia Achariaceae

16. familia Caricaceae

17. familia Loasaceae

18. familia Begoniaceae

19. familia Datiscaceae

20. familia Ancistrocladaceae

21. ordo Guttiferales

1. familia Dilleniaceae

2. familia Actinidiaceae

3. familia Ochnaceae

4. familia Strassburgeriaceae

5. familia Eucryphiaceae

6. familia Caryocaraceae

7. familia Marcgraviaceae

8. familia Quiinaceae

9. familia Theaceae

10. familia Guttiferae

11. familia Dipterocarpaceae

22. ordo Rosales

1. familia Crassulaceae

2. familia Saxifragaceae

3. familia Cunoniaceae

4. familia Brunelliaceae

5. familia Myrothamnaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 5

6. familia Pittosporaceae

7. familia Byblidaceae

8. familia Roridulaceae

9. familia Bruniaceae

10. familia Podostemonaceae

11. familia Hydrostachyaceae

12. familia Rosaceae

13. familia Crossosomataceae

14. familia Chrysobalanaceae

15. familia Connaraceae

16. familia Mimosaceae

17. familia Papilionaceae

23. ordo Myrtales

1. familia Penaeaceae

2. familia Geissolomaceae

3. familia Oliniaceae

4. familia Thymelaeaceae

5. familia Elaeagnaceae

6. familia Lythraceae

7. familia Heteropyzidaceae

8. familia Sonneratiaceae

9. familia Rhizophoraceae

10. familia Alangiaceae

11. familia Nyssaceae

12. familia Lecythidaceae

13. familia Combretaceae

14. familia Myrtaceae

15. familia Punicaceae

16. familia Melastomataceae

17. familia Oenotheraceae

18. familia Halorrhagidaceae [sic: now

Haloragaceae]

19. familia Gunneraceae

incertae sedis

familia Hippuridaceae

24. ordo Columniferae

1. familia Malvaceae

2. familia Bombacaceae

3. familia Tiliaceae

4. familia Sterculiaceae

5. familia Elaeocarpaceae

incertae sedis

familia Chlaenaceae

familia Gonystylaceae

familia Scytopetalaceae

25. ordo Gruinales

1. familia Linaceae

2. familia Humiriaceae

3. familia Oxalidaceae

4. familia Geraniaceae

5. familia Limnaceae

6. familia Tropaeolaceae

7. familia Erythroxylaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 6

8. familia Malpighiaceae

9. familia Zygophyllaceae

incertae sedis

familia Cneoraceae

26. ordo Terebinthales

1. familia Rutaceae

2. familia Simarubaceae [sic: now

Simaroubaceae]

3. familia Burseraceae

4. familia Meliaceae

5. familia Tremandraceae

6. familia Polygalaceae

7. familia Xanthophyllaceae

8. familia Trigoniaceae

9. familia Vochysiaceae

10. familia Anacardiaceae

11. familia Sapindaceae

12. familia Akaniaceae

13. familia Aextoxicaceae

14. familia Aceraceae

15. familia Hippocastanaceae

16. familia Coriaceae

17. familia Cyrillaceae

18. familia Pentaphyllacaceae

19. familia Sabiaceae

20. familia Melianthaceae

21. familia Corynocarpaceae

22. familia Balsaminaceae

27. ordo Celastrales

1. familia Aquifoliaceae

2. familia Celastraceae

3. familia Salvadoraceae

4. familia Staphyleaceae

5. familia Hippocrateaceae

6. familia Stackhousiaceae

7. familia Icacinaceae

28. ordo Rhamnales

1. familia Rhamnaceae

2. familia Vitaceae

29. ordo Umbelliflorae

1. familia Cornaceae

2. familia Araliaceae

3. familia Umbelliferae

incertae sedis

ordo Garryales

familia Garryaceae

2. subclassis Sympetalae

1. ordo Plumbaginales

familia Plumbaginaceae

2. ordo Primulales

1. familia Theophrastaceae

2. familia Primulaceae

3. familia Myrsinaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 7

3. ordo Bicornes

1. familia Clethraceae

2. familia Pirolaceae

3. familia Ericaceae

4. familia Empetraceae

5. familia Epacridaceae

6. familia Diapensiaceae

4. ordo Diospyrales

1. familia Ebenaceae

2. familia Hoplestigmataceae

3. familia Styracaceae

4. familia Symplocaceae

5. familia Sapotaceae

5. ordo Tubiflorae

1. familia Convolvulaceae

2. familia Cuscutaceae

3. familia Polemoniaceae

4. familia Hydrophyllaceae

5. familia Lennoaceae

6. familia Boraginaceae

7. familia Nolanaceae

8. familia Solanaceae

9. familia Scrophulariaceae

10. familia Lentibulariaceae

11. familia Orobranchaceae

12. familia Gesneriaceae

13. familia Bignoniaceae

14. familia Pedaliaceae

15. familia Martyniaceae

16. familia Acanthaceae

17. familia Verbenaceae

18. familia Labiatae

19. familia Tetrachondraceae

20. familia Globulariaceae

21. familia Phrymaceae

22. familia Myoporaceae

23. familia Plantaginaceae

incertae sedis

familia Columelliaceae

6. ordo Contortae

1. familia Loganiaceae

2. familia Buddleiaceae

3. familia Gentianaceae

4. familia Menyanthaceae

5. familia Apocynaceae

6. familia Asclepiadaceae

7. ordo Ligustrales

familia Oleaceae

8. ordo Rubiales

1. familia Rubiaceae

2. familia Caprifoliaceae

3. familia Adoxaceae

4. familia Valerianaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 8

5. familia Dipsacaceae

6. familia Calyceraceae

9. ordo Cucurbitales

familia Cucurbitaceae

10. ordo Synandrae

1. familia Campanulaceae

2. familia Lobeliaceae

3. familia Goodeniaceae

4. familia Stylidaceae

5. familia Brunoniaceae

6. familia Compositae

II. classis Monocotyledones

1. ordo Helobiae

1. familia Alismataceae

2. familia Butomaceae

3. familia Hydrocharitaceae

4. familia Scheuchzeriaceae

5. familia Aponogetonaceae

6. familia Potamogetonaceae

7. familia Najadaceae

2. ordo Liliiflorae

1. familia Liliaceae

2. familia Stemonaceae

3. familia Cyanastraceae

4. familia Pontederiaceae

5. familia Haemodoraceae

6. familia Philydraceae

7. familia Amaryllidaceae

8. familia Velloziaceae

9. familia Iridaceae

10. familia Juncaceae

11. familia Flagellariaceae

12. familia Rapateaceae

13. familia Thurniaceae

14. familia Bromeliaceae

15. familia Dioscoreaceae

16. familia Taccaceae

17. familia Burmanniaceae

3. ordo Enantioblastae

1. familia Commelinaceae

2. familia Mayacaceae

3. familia Xyridaceae

4. familia Eriocaulaceae

5. familia Centrolepidaceae

6. familia Restionaceae

4. ordo Cyperales

familia Cyperaceae

5. ordo Glumiflorae

familia Gramineae

6. ordo Scitamineae

1. familia Musaceae

2. familia Zingiberaceae

3. familia Cannaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 9

4. familia Marantaceae

7 ordo Gynandrae

familia Orchidaceae

8. ordo Spadiciflorae

1. familia Palmae

2. familia Cyclanthaceae

3. familia Araceae

4. familia Lemnaceae

9. ordo Pandanales

1. familia Pandanaceae

2. familia Sparganiaceae

3. familia Typhaceae

D. JOHN HUTCHINSON (1884-1972)

John Hutchinson, a renowned British Botanist proposed 24 phyletic dicta or principles and based on

these dicta he published a phylogenetic system in 2 volume book entitled "The Families of Flowering

Plants" (1926-1934). The volume I deals with Dicots while the Volume I1 having Monocots. The

revised and detailed treatment of the system was published in 1959 and thc most recent revised

system appeared in 197.1.

Outline and Basis of Classification

As pointed out earlier, the system is mainly based on 24 phyletic dicta. Thus, it seems proper to give

a brief account of these phyletic dicta.

1. Evolution is both upwards and downwards, the former tending towards preservation and the

latter to their reduction and suppression (of characters). Examples of former are towards the

sympetalous condition and epigyny and of latter towards the apetalous state of many flowers and

unisexuality in flowering plants.

2. Evolution does hot necessarily involve all organs of the plant at the same time. One organ or set

of organs may be advancing while another set may be stationary or retrograting.

3. Evolution has generally been consistent, and when a particular progression or retrogression has

set in, it is persisted into the end of the phylum e.g., strong tendency to zygomorphy of the

corolla coupled with the reduction in the number of stamens in Engler's hypogynous

Metachlamydeae and the vast tendency to perigyny and epigyny in Archichlamydeae and

Metachlamydeae as seen in the families Umbelliferae and Rubiaceae respectively.

4. In certain groups, trees and shrubs are probably more primitive than herbs e.g., Mirnosaceae and

Caesalpiniaceae (trees and shrubs) as compared with the derived family Papilionaceae (Fabaceae)

(often herbaceous).

5. Trees and shrubs are older than climbers in any one family or genus, the latter habit being acquired

through particular environment. ÿ is tor^ und Concept of Taxonomy Hypothetical pomngioepenns

oicotyiepns ~onocot~ledons Lignosae Hefbaceae

6. Perennials are older than biennials, and from thep annuals are derived e.g., there are only a few

annuals in the primitive family Ranunculaceae while there are many more in the more advanced

Bnd natural family Cruciferae.

7. Aquatic flowering plants are derived from terrestrial ancestors, Epiphytes, saprophytes and

parasites are more recent than plants of normal habit.

8. Dicotyledones with collateral vascular bundles arranged in a cylinder are more primitive in origin

than Monocotyledones with scattered vascular bundles, although it does not necessarily follow

than Monocots are directly derived from Dicots.

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 10

9. The spiral arrangement of leaves on the stem and of the floral leaves is more primitive than the

opposite and whorled arrangement.

10. Simple leaves are usually more primitive than compdund leaves.

11. Unisexual flowers are more advanced than bisexual and. dioecious plants are more recent than

monoecious.

12. Solitary flowers are more primitive than those in inflorescence, the highest forms of the latter

being the umbel and capitulum (Umbelliferae and Compositae).

13. Spirally imbricate floral parts are more primitive than whorled and valvate. Example-Magnolia and

Clematis.

14. Many-parted flowers (polymerous) precede, and the type with few parts (oligomerous) follows

from it, being accompanied by progressive sterilisation of reproductive parts. Examples-Magnolia

and Cheiranthus.

15. Apetalous flowers are derived from petaliferous ones, the former condition being as a result of

reduction.

16. Polypetaly (free petals) is more primitive than gamopetaly (fused petals).

17. Actinomorphy is more primitive than zygomorphy.

18. Hypogyny is the most primitive structure and from it perigyny and epigyny have been derived.

19. Apocarpy (free carpels) is more primitive than Syncarpy (connate carpels). Sometimes, however,

when the carpels have remained loosely united during evolution, they may again become quite

free, e.g., Asclepiadaceae.

20. Polycarpy (many carpels) precede oligocarpy (few carpels) e.g., Ranunculus and Nigella.

21. Endospermic seeds with small embryo are older than non-endosperimic seeds having a large

embryo, e.g., Ranunculaceae and Rosaceae.

22. Indefinte stamens indicate greater primitiveness than an androecium with a few stamens only

(exception Malvaceae) e.g. Ranunculus and Cheiranthus. This condition may however, be reversed

within the confines of-a single family, e.g., papaveraceae, where bees feed on the pollen.

23. Separate stamens precede connate ones e.g., Tiliaceae and Malvaceae, Campanulaceae and

Lobeliaceae.

24. Aggregate fruits are more highly evolved than single fruits. Generally, capsule precedes berry or

drupe.

Based on these above mentioned 24 phyletic dicta, Hutchinson proposed the phylogenetic system of

classification. The outline of this system are given below:

1) Hutchinson believed in Monophyletic origin of Angiosperms from a hypothetical groue, which he'

hamed,as Proangiosperms

2) He tracedu2 main lines development of Dicots viz.

i) Lignosae (woody)

ii) Herbaceae (herbaceous)

3) Lignosae has 54 ORDERs and 251 Families. The starting ORDER is Magnoliales with Magnoliaceae as

the starting family passing through Annonales-Rosales-Malvales Rubiales and terminating at

Verbenales with Phrymaceae as the terminating family.

4) Herbaceae has 28 ORDERs and 100 Families, The starting ORDER is Ranales with Paeoniaceae as the

starting family passing through ~hoedales-Car~o~h~llales- Umbellales-Asterales and terminating at

Lamiales with Lamiaceae (Labiatae) as the ending family

5) The haonocots have 29 ORDERs and 69 Families. As a whole, Monocots have been subdivided into 3

distinct groups based on the nature of Perianth viz.

i) Calyciferae

ii) Corolliferae

iii) Glumiflorae

The starting ORDER of Calyciferae is Butomales with Butomaceae as the starting family. The climax

(ending) ORDER is Zingiberales with Marantaceae as the ending . The starting ORDER of Corolliferae is

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 11

Liliales with Liliaceae as the starting family. The terminating ORDER of this group is Orchidales with

Orchidaceae as the ending family. In the case of Glumiflorae the starting ORDER is Juncales and Juncaceae

as starting family. The climax ORDER is Graminales and Gramineae (Poacea) as the last or terminating

family. The outline of the monocots can be represented in the form of chart as given below:

Merits

The merits or achievements of the system are as follows:

The standard of the family description is of high ORDER and valuable features are given in

the keys for identification.

The systein of classification is of much practical value.

The treatment of Monocots is more adequate, logical and acceptable.

The data from Floral Anatomy and Embryology arc taken into consideration during the

classification of Monocots in particular and Dicots in

Geographical distribution of most of the genera is included in this system.

The system of classification is phylogenetic one.

Demerits

A number of shortcomings and criticism have been put forward to expose the demerits of the

system. More stress is given on Monophyletic origin of Angiospcrln from a hypothetical

proafigiosperm.

Due to special emphasis on Herbaceae and Lignosae, some very closely related fahilies have been

put apart. For example, Ranunculaceae and Magnoliaceae under Ranales (Herbaceae) and

Magnoliaceae (Lignosae) are separated just because of demarcation between Herbaceae and

Lignosae. Similarly, the family LamiaCeae and Asteraceae (Herbaceae) are put apart from

Verbenaceae and Rubiaceae (lignosae).

However, in the opinion of most taxonomists, Hutchinson has contributed an excellent service by his most

careful and critical appraisal of family and ordinal , limitations. His classification has been a greater

stimulant to phyletic thinking during the past decade or two than any other similar contribution.

E. ARMEN TAKHTAJAN (1910-1997)

Another important phytogenetic system was proposed by Takhtajan, the famous Russian

Palaeobotanist working at Komarov Botanical Institute, Leningrad,U.S.S.R. For the first time he

proposed the system in 1942rnainly ba~edo n the structural types of Gynoecium and placentation.

Afterwards, he put foward a modified systeni in 1954 in Russian language and then the translated

version of English in 1958. This modified system was mainly based on phylogenetic principles.

Soon after he made another attempt to revise the system in the light of evolutionary trends in

Angiosperms, which appeared in 1964. This, too, was not the last word but Takhtajan again revised

and updated version of his system appeared in 1980.

Before we take into account the outline of the system it seems proper to point out the important

and significant points of the system as new terms were employed by Takhtajan in his system:

a. Magnoliophyta (Angiosperms) are regarded to be monophyletic in origin.

b. Magnoliopsida (Dicots) are considered as a primitive group than Liliopsida (Monocots).

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 12

Outline of Takhtajan's. System of Classification (Takhtajan, 1980)

1) Mognoliophyta (Angiosperms) has 419 Families and is divided into 2 classes viz. i) Magnoliopsida (Dicots) and ii) Liliopsida (Monocots)

2) Magnoliopsida (Dicots) is further divided into 7 subclasses, 20 super ORDERs, 71 ORDERs and 342 Familes. The 7 subclasses with some important ORDERs and families (starting and ending) are as follows:

3) Liliopsida (Monocots) is divided into 3 subclasses, 3 super ORDER 21 ORDERs and 77 Families, The 3 subclasses of Liliopsida with important ORDERs and Families (Starting and ending) are given below:

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 13

The outline of the system can also be represented in the form of a chart:

Takhtajan has accepted main divisions and sub-divisions as classes and sub-classes almost similar to classification given by Bentham and Hooker. In the Hooker's system the larger taxa are natural since their status is ascertained on the basis of large number of characters.

But so far as further sub-groupings like series (Thalimiflorae, Disciflorae, and Calyciflorae etc. and several ordirs and faniilies; are concerned—one can easily spot out that more or less only one character is chosen as basic criterion in categorization making it more artificial.

Takhtajan introduced modifications at vch levels. A ~riticael xamination of Takhtajan's classification shows that it is of considerable merit since he has made use of maximum data available. Through morphology, cytology, Palynology, Anatomy, Embryology, Cytogenetics, Biochemistry and Palaeobotaqy in the construction of taxa of various ranks.

F. ROBERT THORNE (1920)

A modern system of plant taxonomy, the Thorne system (1992) of plant classification was drawn up by

the botanist Robert F. Thorne (1920- ). He replaced it in 2000 with a new system.

These two systems were published in:

R.F. Thorne (1968). "Synopsis of a putative phylogenetic classification of flowering plants".

Aliso 6 (4): 57–66.

R.F. Thorne (1992). "Classification and geography of flowering plants". Botanical Review 58

(3): 225–348. doi:10.1007/BF02858611.

R.F. Thorne (1992). "An updated phylogenetic classification of the flowering plants". Aliso 13:

365–389.

R.F. Thorne (2000). "The classification and geography of the flowering plants: dicotyledons of

the class Angiospermae". Botanical Review 66 (4): 441–647. doi:10.1007/BF02869011.

The system is available online at two sites. Firstly, at the Center for the Study of Digital Libraries Texas

A&M (CSDL, Texas). Secondly in the 1999 lecture notes by J.L. Reveal, at that time a professor at the

Norton Brown Herbarium, University of Maryland (1, 2, 3; with an extensive listing of synonyms, both

nomenclatural and taxonomic, for each name in the system).

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 14

According to the latter site the main groups in the system are:

The Thorne system (1992) counts 440 families and 69 ORDERs: class Magnoliopsida [= angiosperms ]

subclass Magnoliidae [= dicotyledons ] superORDER Magnolianae

ORDER Magnoliales family Winteraceae family Illiciaceae family Schisandraceae family Magnoliaceae family Degeneriaceae family Himantandraceae family Eupomatiaceae family Annonaceae family Aristolochiaceae family Myristicaceae family Canellaceae family Austrobaileyaceae family Amborellaceae family Trimeniaceae family Chloranthaceae family Monimiaceae family Gomortegaceae family Calycanthaceae family Lauraceae family Hernandiaceae family Lactoridaceae family Saururaceae family Piperaceae superORDER Loasanae ORDER Loasales family Loasaceae superORDER Myrtanae

ORDER Ceratophyllales family Ceratophyllaceae ORDER Nelumbonales family Nelumbonaceae ORDER Paeoniales family Paeoniaceae family Glaucidiaceae subclass Liliidae [= monocotyledons ] superORDER Lilianae ORDER Liliales family Melanthiaceae family Campynemataceae family Alstroemeriaceae family Colchicaceae family Liliaceae family Trilliaceae family Iridaceae ORDER Burmanniales family Burmanniaceae family Corsiaceae ORDER Asparagales family Asparagaceae family Luzuriagaceae family Asphodelaceae family Aphyllanthaceae family Phormiaceae family Tecophilaeaceae

ORDER Berberidales family Menispermaceae family Lardizabalaceae family Sargentodoxaceae family Berberidaceae family Hydrastidaceae family Ranunculaceae family Circaeasteraceae family Papaveraceae superORDER Nymphaeanae ORDER Nymphaeales family Cabombaceae family Nymphaeaceae superORDER Rafflesianae ORDER Rafflesiales family Hydnoraceae family Rafflesiaceae superORDER Caryophyllanae ORDER Caryophyllales family Caryophyllaceae family Portulacaceae family Hectorellaceae family Basellaceae family Didiereaceae family Cactaceae family Phytolaccaceae family Petiveriaceae family Agdestidaceae

class Magnoliopsida [= angiosperms ]

subclass Magnoliidae [= dicotyledons ] superORDER Magnolianae superORDER Nymphaeanae superORDER Rafflesianae superORDER Caryophyllanae superORDER Theanae superORDER Celastranae superORDER Malvanae superORDER Violanae superORDER Santalanae superORDER Geranianae superORDER Rutanae superORDER Proteanae superORDER Rosanae superORDER Cornanae superORDER Asteranae superORDER Solananae superORDER Loasanae superORDER Myrtanae superORDER Gentiananae

subclass Liliidae [= monocotyledons ] superORDER Lilianae superORDER Hydatellanae superORDER Triuridanae superORDER Aranae superORDER Cyclanthanae superORDER Pandananae superORDER Arecanae superORDER Commelinanae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 15

ORDER Myrtales family Lythraceae family Alzateaceae family Rhynchocalycaceae family Penaeaceae family Oliniaceae family Trapaceae family Crypteroniaceae family Melastomataceae family Combretaceae family Onagraceae family Myrtaceae superORDER Gentiananae ORDER Gentianales family Loganiaceae family Rubiaceae family Dialypetalanthaceae family Apocynaceae family Gentianaceae family Saccifoliaceae ORDER Scrophulariales family Oleaceae family Buddlejaceae family Stilbaceae family Bignoniaceae family Pedaliaceae family Martyniaceae family Myoporaceae family Scrophulariaceae family Gesneriaceae family Globulariaceae family Plantaginaceae family Lentibulariaceae family Acanthaceae family Callitrichaceae family Hippuridaceae family Verbenaceae family Phrymaceae family Symphoremataceae family Nesogenaceae family Avicenniaceae family Lamiaceae ORDER Podostemales family Podostemaceae ORDER Cunoniales family Cunoniaceae family Davidsoniaceae family Staphyleaceae superORDER Cornanae ORDER Hydrangeales family Hydrangeaceae family Escalloniaceae family Carpodetaceae family Griseliniaceae family Alseuosmiaceae family Montiniaceae family Brexiaceae family Columelliaceae family Desfontainiaceae ORDER Cornales family Vitaceae

family Lanariaceae family Hemerocallidaceae family Asteliaceae family Hanguanaceae family Agavaceae family Hostaceae family Blandfordiaceae family Dasypogonaceae family Xanthorrhoeaceae family Ixioliriaceae family Hyacinthaceae family Alliaceae family Amaryllidaceae family Hypoxidaceae family Velloziaceae family Cyanastraceae family Eriospermaceae ORDER Dioscoreales family Philesiaceae family Ripogonaceae family Petermanniaceae family Smilacaceae family Dioscoreaceae family Trichopodaceae family Stemonaceae family Taccaceae ORDER Orchidales family Orchidaceae superORDER Hydatellanae ORDER Hydatellales family Hydatellaceae superORDER Triuridanae ORDER Triuridales family Triuridaceae superORDER Alismatanae ORDER Alismatales family Butomaceae family Alismataceae family Hydrocharitaceae ORDER Potamogetonales family Aponogetonaceae family Scheuchzeriaceae family Juncaginaceae family Potamogetonaceae family Posidoniaceae family Cymodoceaceae family Zannichelliaceae family Zosteraceae superORDER Aranae ORDER Acorales family Acoraceae ORDER Arales family Araceae family Lemnaceae superORDER Cyclanthanae ORDER Cyclanthales family Cyclanthaceae superORDER Pandananae ORDER Pandanales family Pandanaceae superORDER Arecanae

family Barbeuiaceae family Achatocarpaceae family Stegnospermataceae family Nyctaginaceae family Aizoaceae family Halophytaceae family Molluginaceae family Chenopodiaceae family Amaranthaceae superORDER Theanae ORDER Theales family Dilleniaceae family Actinidiaceae family Paracryphiaceae family Stachyuraceae family Theaceae family Asteropeiaceae family Tetrameristaceae family Pellicieraceae family Chrysobalanaceae family Symplocaceae family Caryocaraceae family Marcgraviaceae family Oncothecaceae family Aquifoliaceae family Phellinaceae family Sphenostemonaceae family Sarraceniaceae family Pentaphylacaceae family Clethraceae family Cyrillaceae family Ochnaceae family Quiinaceae family Scytopetalaceae family Medusagynaceae family Strasburgeriaceae family Ancistrocladaceae family Dioncophyllaceae family Nepenthaceae family Bonnetiaceae family Clusiaceae family Elatinaceae family Lecythidaceae ORDER Ericales family Ericaceae family Epacridaceae family Empetraceae ORDER Fouquieriales family Fouquieriaceae ORDER Styracales family Ebenaceae family Lissocarpaceae family Sapotaceae family Styracaceae ORDER Primulales family Theophrastaceae family Myrsinaceae family Primulaceae family Plumbaginaceae ORDER Polygonales family Polygonaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 16

family Gunneraceae family Haloragaceae family Cornaceae family Curtisiaceae family Alangiaceae family Garryaceae family Aucubaceae family Aralidiaceae family Eucommiaceae family Icacinaceae family Metteniusaceae family Cardiopteridaceae family Peripterygiaceae ORDER Pittosporales family Pittosporaceae family Byblidaceae family Tremandraceae ORDER Araliales family Helwingiaceae family Torricelliaceae family Araliaceae family Hydrocotylaceae family Apiaceae ORDER Dipsacales family Caprifoliaceae family Adoxaceae family Valerianaceae family Triplostegiaceae family Dipsacaceae family Morinaceae superORDER Asteranae ORDER Asterales family Calyceraceae family Asteraceae ORDER Campanulales family Menyanthaceae family Pentaphragmataceae family Sphenocleaceae family Campanulaceae family Goodeniaceae superORDER Solananae ORDER Solanales family Solanaceae family Duckeodendraceae family Goetzeaceae family Nolanaceae family Convolvulaceae family Hydrophyllaceae family Boraginaceae family Hoplestigmataceae family Lennoaceae family Tetrachondraceae family Polemoniaceae ORDER Polygalales family Malpighiaceae family Trigoniaceae family Vochysiaceae family Polygalaceae family Krameriaceae superORDER Rutanae ORDER Rutales

ORDER Arecales family Arecaceae superORDER Commelinanae ORDER Bromeliales family Bromeliaceae ORDER Philydrales family Philydraceae family Pontederiaceae family Haemodoraceae ORDER Typhales family Typhaceae ORDER Zingiberales family Musaceae family Strelitziaceae family Lowiaceae family Heliconiaceae family Zingiberaceae family Costaceae family Cannaceae family Marantaceae ORDER Commelinales family Rapateaceae family Xyridaceae family Commelinaceae family Mayacaceae family Eriocaulaceae ORDER Juncales family Thurniaceae family Juncaceae family Cyperaceae ORDER Poales family Flagellariaceae family Joinvilleaceae family Restionaceae family Ecdeiocoleaceae family Centrolepidaceae family Poaceae ORDER Balanopales family Buxaceae family Didymelaceae family Daphniphyllaceae family Balanopaceae ORDER Bruniales family Roridulaceae family Bruniaceae family Geissolomataceae family Grubbiaceae family Myrothamnaceae family Hydrostachyaceae ORDER Juglandales family Rhoipteleaceae family Juglandaceae family Myricaceae ORDER Betulales family Ticodendraceae family Betulaceae family Nothofagaceae family Fagaceae ORDER Rosales family Rosaceae family Neuradaceae

superORDER Celastranae ORDER Celastrales family Celastraceae family Goupiaceae family Lophopyxidaceae family Stackhousiaceae family Corynocarpaceae superORDER Malvanae ORDER Malvales family Sterculiaceae family Huaceae family Elaeocarpaceae family Plagiopteraceae family Tiliaceae family Monotaceae family Dipterocarpaceae family Sarcolaenaceae family Sphaerosepalaceae family Bombacaceae family Malvaceae ORDER Urticales family Ulmaceae family Moraceae family Cecropiaceae family Barbeyaceae family Urticaceae family Cannabaceae ORDER Rhamnales family Rhamnaceae family Elaeagnaceae ORDER Euphorbiales family Euphorbiaceae family Aextoxicaceae family Simmondsiaceae family Dichapetalaceae family Gonystylaceae family Thymelaeaceae superORDER Violanae ORDER Violales family Bixaceae family Cochlospermaceae family Cistaceae family Violaceae family Flacourtiaceae family Physenaceae family Lacistemataceae family Salicaceae family Dipentodontaceae family Peridiscaceae family Scyphostegiaceae family Passifloraceae family Turneriaceae family Malesherbiaceae family Achariaceae family Caricaceae family Tamaricaceae family Frankeniaceae family Cucurbitaceae family Begoniaceae family Datiscaceae ORDER Brassicales

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 17

family Rutaceae family Rhabdodendraceae family Cneoraceae family Simaroubaceae family Picramniaceae family Ptaeroxylaceae family Meliaceae family Burseraceae family Anacardiaceae family Leitneriaceae family Tepuianthaceae family Coriariaceae family Sapindaceae family Sabiaceae family Melianthaceae family Akaniaceae family Bretschneideraceae family Moringaceae family Surianaceae family Connaraceae family Fabaceae superORDER Proteanae ORDER Proteales family Proteaceae superORDER Rosanae ORDER Hamamelidales family Trochodendraceae family Eupteleaceae family Cercidiphyllaceae family Platanaceae family Hamamelidaceae

family Crossosomataceae family Anisophylleaceae ORDER Saxifragales family Tetracarpaeaceae family Crassulaceae family Cephalotaceae family Penthoraceae family Saxifragaceae family Francoaceae family Grossulariaceae family Vahliaceae family Eremosynaceae family Lepuropetalaceae family Parnassiaceae family Stylidiaceae family Droseraceae family Greyiaceae family Diapensiaceae ORDER Rhizophorales family Rhizophoraceae ORDER Geraniales family Oxalidaceae family Geraniaceae family Balsaminaceae family Tropaeolaceae family Limnanthaceae ORDER Casuarinales family Casuarinaceae

family Resedaceae family Capparaceae family Brassicaceae family Salvadoraceae family Gyrostemonaceae ORDER Batales family Bataceae superORDER Santalanae ORDER Santalales family Olacaceae family Opiliaceae family Medusandraceae family Santalaceae family Misodendraceae family Loranthaceae family Eremolepidaceae family Viscaceae ORDER Balanophorales family Balanophoraceae family Cynomoriaceae superORDER Geranianae ORDER Linales family Humiriaceae family Ctenolophonaceae family Hugoniaceae family Ixonanthaceae family Linaceae family Erythroxylaceae family Zygophyllaceae family Balanitaceae

G. ROLF DALHRAGEN (1932-1987)

One of the modern systems of plant taxonomy, the Dahlgren system was published by monocot specialist

Rolf Dahlgren. His wife Gertrud Dahlgren carried on after his death.

According to the extensive listing by Professor Reveal (see 1 2 3 4, note the synonyms, both

nomenclatural and taxonomic, for each name in the system), it looks like this:

class Magnoliopsida

subclass Magnoliidae

superorder Magnolianae

order Annonales

family Annonaceae

family Myristicaceae

family Eupomatiaceae

family Canellaceae

family Austrobaileyaceae

order Aristolochiales

family Aristolochiaceae

order Rafflesiales

family Rafflesiaceae

family Hydnoraceae

order Magnoliales

family Degeneriaceae

family Himantandraceae

family Magnoliaceae

order Lactoridales

family Lactoridaceae

order Winterales

family Winteraceae

order Chloranthales

family Chloranthaceae

order Illiciales

family Illiciaceae

family Schisandraceae

order Laurales

family Amborellaceae

family Trimeniaceae

family Monimiaceae

family Gomortegaceae

family Calycanthaceae

family Lauraceae

order Nelumbonales

family Nelumbonaceae

superorder Nymphaeanae

order Piperales

family Saururaceae

family Piperaceae

order Nymphaeales

family Cabombaceae

family Nymphaeaceae

family Ceratophyllaceae

superorder Ranunculanae

order Ranunculales

family Lardizabalaceae

family Sargentodoxaceae

family Menispermaceae

family Kingdoniaceae

family Circaeasteraceae

family Ranunculaceae

family Hydrastidaceae

family Berberidaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 18

order Papaverales

family Papaveraceae

family Fumariaceae

superorder Caryophyllanae

order Caryophyllales

family Molluginaceae

family Caryophyllaceae

family Phytolaccaceae

family Achatocarpaceae

family Agdestidaceae

family Basellaceae

family Portulacaceae

family Stegnospermataceae

family Nyctaginaceae

family Aizoaceae

family Halophytaceae

family Cactaceae

family Didiereaceae

family Hectorellaceae

family Chenopodiaceae

family Amaranthaceae

superorder Polygonanae

order Polygonales

family Polygonaceae

superorder Plumbaginanae

order Plumbaginales

family Plumbaginaceae

family Limoniaceae

superorder Malvanae

order Malvales

family Sterculiaceae

family Plagiopteraceae

family Bixaceae

family Cochlospermaceae

family Cistaceae

family Sphaerosepalaceae

family Sarcolaenaceae

family Huaceae

family Tiliaceae

family Dipterocarpaceae

family Bombacaceae

family Malvaceae

order Urticales

family Ulmaceae

family Moraceae

family Cecropiaceae

family Barbeyaceae

family Cannabaceae

family Urticaceae

order Euphorbiales

family Euphorbiaceae

family Simmondsiaceae

family Pandaceae

family Aextoxicaceae

family Dichapetalaceae

order Thymelaeales

family Gonystylaceae

family Thymelaeaceae

order Rhamnales

family Rhamnaceae

superorder Violanae

order Violales

family Flacourtiaceae

family Berberidopsidaceae

family Aphloiaceae

family Physenaceae

family Passifloraceae

family Dipentodontaceae

family Peridiscaceae

family Scyphostegiaceae

family Violaceae

family Turneraceae

family Malesherbiaceae

family Caricaceae

order Cucurbitales

family Achariaceae

family Cucurbitaceae

family Begoniaceae

family Datiscaceae

order Salicales

family Salicaceae

order Tamaricales

family Tamaricaceae

family Frankeniaceae

order Capparales

family Capparaceae

family Brassicaceae

family Tovariaceae

family Resedaceae

family Gyrostemonaceae

family Bataceae

family Moringaceae

order Tropaeolales

family Tropaeolaceae

family Limnanthaceae

order Salvadorales

family Salvadoraceae

superorder Theanae

order Dilleniales

family Dilleniaceae

order Paeoniales

family Glaucidiaceae

family Paeoniaceae

order Theales

family Stachyuraceae

family Pentaphylacaceae

family Marcgraviaceae

family Quiinaceae

family Ancistrocladaceae

family Dioncophyllaceae

family Nepenthaceae

family Medusagynaceae

family Caryocaraceae

family Strasburgeriaceae

family Ochnaceae

family Chrysobalanaceae

family Oncothecaceae

family Scytopetalaceae

family Theaceae

family Bonnetiaceae

family Clusiaceae

family Elatinaceae

order Lecythidales

family Lecythidaceae

superorder Primulanae

order Primulales

family Myrsinaceae

family Aegicerataceae

family Theophrastaceae

family Primulaceae

family Coridaceae

order Ebenales

family Sapotaceae

family Styracaceae

family Lissocarpaceae

family Ebenaceae

superorder Rosanae

order Trochodendrales

family Trochodendraceae

family Tetracentraceae

order Cercidiphyllales

family Cercidiphyllaceae

family Eupteleaceae

order Hamamelidales

family Hamamelidaceae

family Platanaceae

family Myrothamnaceae

order Balanopales

family Balanopaceae

order Fagales

family Nothofagaceae

family Fagaceae

family Corylaceae

family Betulaceae

order Juglandales

family Rhoipteleaceae

family Juglandaceae

order Myricales

family Myricaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 19

order Casuarinales

family Casuarinaceae

order Buxales)

family Buxaceae

family Daphniphyllaceae

family Didymelaceae

order Geissolomatales

family Geissolomataceae

order Cunoniales

family Cunoniaceae

family Baueraceae

family Brunelliaceae

family Davidsoniaceae

family Eucryphiaceae

order Saxifragales

family Saxifragaceae

family Francoaceae

family Greyiaceae

family Brexiaceae

family Grossulariaceae

family Iteaceae

family Cephalotaceae

family Crassulaceae

family Podostemaceae

order Droserales

family Droseraceae

family Lepuropetalaceae

family Parnassiaceae

order Rosales

family Rosaceae

family Neuradaceae

family Malaceae

family Amygdalaceae

family Anisophylleaceae

family Crossosomataceae

family Surianaceae

family Rhabdodendraceae

order Gunnerales

family Gunneraceae

superorder Proteanae

order Proteales

family Proteaceae

order Elaeagnales

family Elaeagnaceae

superorder Myrtanae

order Myrtales

family Psiloxylaceae

family Heteropyxidaceae

family Myrtaceae

family Onagraceae

family Trapaceae

family Lythraceae

family Combretaceae

family Melastomataceae

family Memecylaceae

family Crypteroniaceae

family Oliniaceae

family Penaeaceae

family Rhynchocalycaceae

family Alzateaceae

order Haloragales

family Haloragaceae

superorder Rutanae

order Sapindales

family Coriariaceae

family Anacardiaceae

family Leitneriaceae

family Podoaceae

family Sapindaceae

family Hippocastanaceae

family Aceraceae

family Akaniaceae

family Bretschneideraceae

family Emblingiaceae

family Staphyleaceae

family Melianthaceae

family Sabiaceae)

family Meliosmaceae

family Connaraceae

order Fabales

family Mimosaceae

family Caesalpiniaceae

family Fabaceae

order Rutales

family Rutaceae

family Ptaeroxylaceae

family Cneoraceae

family Simaroubaceae

family Tepuianthaceae

family Burseraceae

family Meliaceae

order Polygalales

family Malpighiaceae

family Trigoniaceae

family Vochysiaceae

family Polygalaceae

family Krameriaceae

order Geraniales

family Zygophyllaceae

family Peganaceae

family Nitrariaceae

family Geraniaceae

family Vivianiaceae

family Ledocarpaceae

family Biebersteiniaceae

family Dirachmaceae

family Balanitaceae

order Linales

family Linaceae

family Humiriaceae

family Ctenolophonaceae

family Ixonanthaceae

family Erythroxylaceae

family Lepidobotryaceae

family Oxalidaceae

order Celastrales

family Stackhousiaceae

family Lophopyxidaceae

family Cardiopteridaceae

family Corynocarpaceae

family Celastraceae

order Rhizophorales

family Rhizophoraceae

family Elaeocarpaceae

order Balsaminales

family Balsaminaceae

superorder Vitanae

order Vitales

family Vitaceae

superorder Santalanae

order Santalales

family Olacaceae

family Opiliaceae

family Loranthaceae

family Medusandraceae

family Misodendraceae

family Eremolepidaceae

family Santalaceae

family Viscaceae

superorder Balanophoranae

order Balanophorales

family Cynomoriaceae

family Balanophoraceae

superorder Aralianae

order Pittosporales

family Pittosporaceae

family Tremandraceae

family Byblidaceae

order Araliales

family Araliaceae

family Apiaceae

superorder Asteranae

order Campanulales

family Pentaphragmataceae

family Campanulaceae

family Lobeliaceae

order Asterales

family Asteraceae

superorder Solananae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 20

order Solanales

family Solanaceae

family Sclerophylacaceae

family Goetzeaceae

family Convolvulaceae

family Cuscutaceae

family Cobaeaceae

family Polemoniaceae

order Boraginales

family Hydrophyllaceae

family Ehretiaceae

family Boraginaceae

family Lennoaceae

family Hoplestigmataceae

superorder Ericanae

order Bruniales

family Bruniaceae

family Grubbiaceae

order Fouquieriales

family Fouquieriaceae

order Ericales

family Actinidiaceae

family Clethraceae

family Cyrillaceae

family Ericaceae

family Empetraceae

family Monotropaceae

family Pyrolaceae

family Epacridaceae

order Stylidiales

family Stylidiaceae

order Sarraceniales

family Sarraceniaceae

superorder Cornanae

order Cornales

family Garryaceae

family Alangiaceae

family Nyssaceae

family Cornaceae

family Roridulaceae

family Davidiaceae

family Escalloniaceae

family Helwingiaceae

family Torricelliaceae

family Aucubaceae

family Aralidiaceae

family Diapensiaceae

family Phellinaceae

family Aquifoliaceae

family Paracryphiaceae

family Sphenostemonaceae

family Symplocaceae

family Icacinaceae

family Montiniaceae

family Columelliaceae

family Alseuosmiaceae

family Hydrangeaceae

family Sambucaceae

family Viburnaceae

family Menyanthaceae

family Adoxaceae

family Phyllonomaceae

family Tribelaceae

family Eremosynaceae

family Pterostemonaceae

family Tetracarpaeaceae

order Eucommiales

family Eucommiaceae

order Dipsacales

family Caprifoliaceae

family Valerianaceae

family Dipsacaceae

family Morinaceae

family Calyceraceae

superorder Loasanae

order Loasales

family Loasaceae

superorder Gentiananae

order Goodeniales

family Goodeniaceae

order Oleales

family Oleaceae

order Gentianales

family Desfontainiaceae

family Loganiaceae

family Dialypetalanthaceae

family Rubiaceae

family Theligonaceae

family Gentianaceae

family Saccifoliaceae

family Apocynaceae

family Asclepiadaceae

superorder Lamianae

order Lamiales

family Retziaceae

family Stilbaceae

family Buddlejaceae

family Scrophulariaceae

family Myoporaceae

family Globulariaceae

family Plantaginaceae

family Lentibulariaceae

family Pedaliaceae

family Trapellaceae

family Martyniaceae

family Gesneriaceae

family Bignoniaceae

family Acanthaceae

family Verbenaceae

family Lamiaceae

family Callitrichaceae

order Hydrostachyales

family Hydrostachyaceae

order Hippuridales

family Hippuridaceae

subclass Liliidae

superorder Alismatanae

order Alismatales

family Aponogetonaceae

family Butomaceae

family Hydrocharitaceae

family Limnocharitaceae

family Alismataceae

order Najadales

family Scheuchzeriaceae

family Juncaginaceae

family Najadaceae

family Potamogetonaceae

family Zosteraceae

family Posidoniaceae

family Cymodoceaceae

family Zannichelliaceae

superorder Triuridanae

order Triuridales

family Triuridaceae

superorder Aranae

order Arales

family Araceae

family Acoraceae

family Lemnaceae

superorder Lilianae

order Dioscoreales

family Trichopodaceae

family Dioscoreaceae

family Stemonaceae

family Taccaceae

family Trilliaceae

family Ripogonaceae

family Petermanniaceae

family Smilacaceae

order Asparagales

family Philesiaceae

family Luzuriagaceae

family Convallariaceae

family Dracaenaceae

family Asparagaceae

family Ruscaceae

family Herreriaceae

family Nolinaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 21

family Asteliaceae

family Dasypogonaceae

family Calectasiaceae

family Blandfordiaceae

family Xanthorrhoeaceae

family Agavaceae

family Hypoxidaceae

family Tecophilaeaceae

family Lanariaceae

family Ixioliriaceae

family Cyanastraceae

family Phormiaceae

family Doryanthaceae

family Eriospermaceae

family Asphodelaceae

family Anthericaceae

family Aphyllanthaceae

family Hemerocallidaceae

family Hostaceae

family Hyacinthaceae

family Alliaceae

family Amaryllidaceae

order Liliales

family Colchicaceae

family Uvulariaceae

family Iridaceae

family Alstroemeriaceae

family Calochortaceae

family Liliaceae

order Melanthiales

family Melanthiaceae

family Campynemataceae

order Burmanniales

family Burmanniaceae

family Corsiaceae

order Orchidales

family Neuwiediaceae

family Apostasiaceae

family Cypripediaceae

family Orchidaceae

superorder Bromelianae

order Velloziales

family Velloziaceae

order Bromeliales

family Bromeliaceae

order Haemodorales

family Haemodoraceae

order Philydrales

family Philydraceae

order Pontederiales

family Pontederiaceae

order Typhales

family Typhaceae

superorder Zingiberanae

order Zingiberales

family Lowiaceae

family Musaceae

family Heliconiaceae

family Strelitziaceae

family Zingiberaceae

family Costaceae

family Cannaceae

family Marantaceae

superorder Commelinanae

order Commelinales

family Mayacaceae

family Commelinaceae

family Xyridaceae

family Rapateaceae

family Eriocaulaceae

order Hydatellales

family Hydatellaceae

order Cyperales

family Juncaceae

family Thurniaceae

family Cyperaceae

order Poales

family Flagellariaceae

family Joinvilleaceae

family Restionaceae

family Centrolepidaceae

family Poaceae

superorder Arecanae

order Hanguanales

family Hanguanaceae

order Arecales

family Arecaceae

superorder Cyclanthanae

order Cyclanthales

family Cyclanthaceae

superorder Pandananae

order Pandanales

family Pandanaceae

H. ARTHUR CRONQUIST (1919-1992)

The Cronquist system is a taxonomic classification system of flowering plants. It was developed by

Arthur Cronquist in his texts An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants (1981) and The

Evolution and Classification of Flowering Plants (1968; 2nd edition, 1988).

Cronquist's system places flowering plants into two broad classes, Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons) and

Liliopsida (monocotyledons). Within these classes, related ORDERs are grouped into subclasses.

The scheme is still widely used, in either the original form or in adapted versions, but some botanists

are adopting the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the ORDERs and families of flowering

plants: APG III.

The system as laid out in An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants (1981) counts 321

families and 64 ORDERs in class Magnoliopsida with 19 ORDERs and 65 families in class Liliopsida:

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 22

Cronquist System Diagram

Class Magnoliopsida

Subclass Magnoliidae

(mostly basal dicots)

ORDER Magnoliales

Winteraceae

Degeneriaceae

Himantandraceae

Eupomatiaceae

Austrobaileyaceae

Magnoliaceae

(magnolia family)

Lactoridaceae

Annonaceae

Myristicaceae

Canellaceae

ORDER Laurales

Amborellaceae

Trimeniaceae

Monimiaceae

Gomortegaceae

Calycanthaceae

Idiospermaceae

Lauraceae (laurel family)

Hernandiaceae

ORDER Piperales

Chloranthaceae

Saururaceae

Piperaceae (pepper family)

ORDER Aristolochiales

Aristolochiaceae

ORDER Illiciales

Illiciaceae

Schisandraceae

ORDER Nymphaeales

Nelumbonaceae

Nymphaeaceae

Barclayaceae

Cabombaceae

Ceratophyllaceae

ORDER Ranunculales

Ranunculaceae

Circaeasteraceae

Berberidaceae

Sargentodoxaceae

Lardizabalaceae

Menispermaceae

Coriariaceae

Sabiaceae

ORDER Papaverales

Papaveraceae

Fumariaceae

Subclass Hamamelidae [sic:

correctly Hamamelididae]

ORDER Trochodendrales

Tetracentraceae

Trochodendraceae

ORDER Hamamelidales

Cercidiphyllaceae

Eupteleaceae

Platanaceae

Hamamelidaceae

Myrothamnaceae

ORDER Daphniphyllales

Daphniphyllaceae

ORDER Didymelales

Didymelaceae

ORDER Eucommiales

Eucommiaceae

ORDER Urticales

Barbeyaceae

Ulmaceae

Cannabaceae

Moraceae

Cecropiaceae

Urticaceae

ORDER Leitneriales

Leitneriaceae

ORDER Juglandales

Rhoipteleaceae

Juglandaceae

ORDER Myricales

Myricaceae

ORDER Fagales

Balanopaceae

Ticodendraceae

Fagaceae

Nothofagaceae

Betulaceae

ORDER Casuarinales

Casuarinaceae

Subclass Caryophyllidae

ORDER Caryophyllales

Phytolaccaceae

Achatocarpaceae

Nyctaginaceae

Aizoaceae

Didiereaceae

Cactaceae (cactus family)

Chenopodiaceae

Amaranthaceae

Portulacaceae

Basellaceae

Molluginaceae

Caryophyllaceae

ORDER Polygonales

Polygonaceae

ORDER Plumbaginales

Plumbaginaceae

Subclass Dilleniidae

ORDER Dilleniales

Dilleniaceae

Paeoniaceae

ORDER Theales

Ochnaceae

Sphaerosepalaceae

Sarcolaenaceae

Dipterocarpaceae

Caryocaraceae

Theaceae (tea family)

Actinidiaceae

Scytopetalaceae

Pentaphylacaceae

Tetrameristaceae

Pellicieraceae

Oncothecaceae

Marcgraviaceae

Quiinaceae

Elatinaceae

Paracryphiaceae

Medusagynaceae

Clusiaceae

ORDER Malvales

Elaeocarpaceae

Tiliaceae

Sterculiaceae

Bombacaceae

Malvaceae

ORDER Lecythidales

Lecythidaceae

ORDER Nepenthales

Sarraceniaceae

Nepenthaceae

Droseraceae

ORDER Violales

Flacourtiaceae

Peridiscaceae

Bixaceae

Cistaceae

Huaceae

Lacistemataceae

Scyphostegiaceae

Stachyuraceae

Violaceae (violet family)

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 23

Tamaricaceae (tamarind

family)

Frankeniaceae

Dioncophyllaceae

Ancistrocladaceae

Turneraceae

Malesherbiaceae

Passifloraceae

Achariaceae

Caricaceae

Fouquieriaceae

Hoplestigmataceae

Cucurbitaceae

Datiscaceae

Begoniaceae

Loasaceae

ORDER Salicales

Salicaceae

ORDER Capparales

Tovariaceae

Capparaceae

Brassicaceae

Moringaceae

Resedaceae

ORDER Batales

Gyrostemonaceae

Bataceae

ORDER Ericales

Cyrillaceae

Clethraceae

Grubbiaceae

Empetraceae

Epacridaceae

Ericaceae

Pyrolaceae

Monotropaceae

ORDER Diapensiales

Diapensiaceae

ORDER Ebenales

Sapotaceae

Ebenaceae

Styracaceae

Lissocarpaceae

Symplocaceae

ORDER Primulales

Theophrastaceae

Myrsinaceae

Primulaceae

Subclass Rosidae

ORDER Rosales

Brunelliaceae

Connaraceae

Eucryphiaceae

Cunoniaceae

Davidsoniaceae

Dialypetalanthaceae

Pittosporaceae

Byblidaceae

Hydrangeaceae

Columelliaceae

Grossulariaceae

Greyiaceae

Bruniaceae

Anisophylleaceae

Alseuosmiaceae

Crassulaceae

Cephalotaceae

Saxifragaceae

Rosaceae (rose family)

Neuradaceae

Crossosomataceae

Chrysobalanaceae

Surianaceae

Rhabdodendraceae

ORDER Fabales

Mimosaceae (mimosa family)

Caesalpiniaceae

Fabaceae

ORDER Proteales

Elaeagnaceae

Proteaceae

ORDER Podostemales

Podostemaceae

ORDER Haloragales

Haloragaceae

Gunneraceae

ORDER Myrtales

Sonneratiaceae

Lythraceae

Penaeaceae

Crypteroniaceae

Thymelaeaceae

Trapaceae

Myrtaceae

Punicaceae

Onagraceae

Oliniaceae

Melastomataceae

Combretaceae

Alzateaceae

Memecylaceae

Rhyncocalycaceae

ORDER Rhizophorales

Rhizophoraceae

ORDER Cornales

Alangiaceae

Nyssaceae

Cornaceae

Garryaceae

ORDER Santalales

Medusandraceae

Dipentodontaceae

Olacaceae

Opiliaceae

Santalaceae

Misodendraceae

Loranthaceae

Viscaceae

Eremolepidaceae

Balanophoraceae

ORDER Rafflesiales

Hydnoraceae

Mitrastemonaceae

Rafflesiaceae

ORDER Celastrales

Geissolomataceae

Celastraceae

Hippocrateaceae

Stackhousiaceae

Salvadoraceae

Aquifoliaceae

Icacinaceae

Aextoxicaceae

Cardiopteridaceae

Corynocarpaceae

Dichapetalaceae

Tepuianthaceae

ORDER Euphorbiales

Buxaceae

Simmondsiaceae

Pandaceae

Euphorbiaceae

ORDER Rhamnales

Rhamnaceae

Leeaceae

Vitaceae

ORDER Linales

Erythroxylaceae

Humiriaceae

Ixonanthaceae

Hugoniaceae

Linaceae

ORDER Polygalales

Malpighiaceae

Vochysiaceae

Trigoniaceae

Tremandraceae

Polygalaceae

Xanthophyllaceae

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 24

Krameriaceae

ORDER Sapindales

Staphyleaceae

Melianthaceae

Bretschneideraceae

Akaniaceae

Sapindaceae

Hippocastanaceae

Aceraceae

Burseraceae

Anacardiaceae

Julianiaceae

Simaroubaceae

Cneoraceae

Meliaceae

Rutaceae

Zygophyllaceae

ORDER Geraniales

Oxalidaceae

Geraniaceae

Limnanthaceae

Tropaeolaceae

Balsaminaceae

ORDER Apiales

Araliaceae

Apiaceae

Subclass Asteridae

ORDER Gentianales

Loganiaceae

Retziaceae

Gentianaceae

Saccifoliaceae

Apocynaceae

Asclepiadaceae

ORDER Solanales

Duckeodendraceae

Nolanaceae

Solanaceae

Convolvulaceae

Cuscutaceae

Menyanthaceae

Polemoniaceae

Hydrophyllaceae

Retziaceae

ORDER Lamiales

Lennoaceae

Boraginaceae

Verbenaceae

Lamiaceae

ORDER Callitrichales

Hippuridaceae

Callitrichaceae

Hydrostachyaceae

ORDER Plantaginales

Plantaginaceae

ORDER Scrophulariales

Buddlejaceae

Oleaceae (olive family)

Scrophulariaceae

Globulariaceae

Myoporaceae

Orobanchaceae

Gesneriaceae

Acanthaceae

Pedaliaceae

Bignoniaceae

Mendonciaceae

Lentibulariaceae

ORDER Campanulales

Pentaphragmataceae

Sphenocleaceae

Campanulaceae

Stylidiaceae

Donatiaceae

Brunoniaceae

Goodeniaceae

ORDER Rubiales

Rubiaceae

Theligonaceae

ORDER Dipsacales

Caprifoliaceae

Adoxaceae

Valerianaceae

Dipsacaceae

ORDER Calycerales

Calyceraceae

ORDER Asterales

Asteraceae

Class Liliopsida

Subclass Alismatidae

ORDER Alismatales

Butomaceae

Limnocharitaceae

Alismataceae

ORDER Hydrocharitales

Hydrocharitaceae

ORDER Najadales

Aponogetonaceae

Scheuchzeriaceae

Juncaginaceae

Potamogetonaceae

Ruppiaceae

Najadaceae

Zannichelliaceae

Posidoniaceae

Cymodoceaceae

Zosteraceae

ORDER Triuridales

Petrosaviaceae

Triuridaceae

Subclass Arecidae

ORDER Arecales

Arecaceae (palm family)

ORDER Cyclanthales

Cyclanthaceae

ORDER Pandanales

Pandanaceae (pandan family)

ORDER Arales

Acoraceae

Araceae

Lemnaceae

Subclass Commelinidae

ORDER Commelinales

Rapateaceae

Xyridaceae

Mayacaceae

Commelinaceae

ORDER Eriocaulales

Eriocaulaceae

ORDER Restionales

Flagellariaceae

Joinvilleaceae

Restionaceae

Centrolepidaceae

ORDER Juncales

Juncaceae

Thurniaceae

ORDER Cyperales

Cyperaceae

Poaceae (Grass family)

ORDER Hydatellales

Hydatellaceae

ORDER Typhales

Sparganiaceae

Typhaceae

Subclass Zingiberidae

ORDER Bromeliales

Bromeliaceae

ORDER Zingiberales

Strelitziaceae

Heliconiaceae

Musaceae

Lowiaceae

Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)

Costaceae

Cannaceae

Marantaceae

Subclass Liliidae

ORDER Liliales

SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION | 25

Philydraceae

Pontederiaceae

Haemodoraceae

Cyanastraceae

Liliaceae (Lily family)

Iridaceae (Iris family)

Velloziaceae

Aloeaceae (Aloe family)

Agavaceae

Xanthorrhoeaceae

Hanguanaceae

Taccaceae

Stemonaceae

Smilacaceae

Dioscoreaceae

ORDER Orchidales

Geosiridaceae

Burmanniaceae

Corsiaceae

Orchidaceae (Orchid family)