Classification is a process which mankind naturally and instinctively carries out, and which has been carried out from the very beginning, for the accurate identification of food, predators, fuel building materials etc. and is essential for their survival. Classifying the number of plants species is great task.
Around 3000,000 species of green plants, over 100000 fungi and a few thousand bacteria and other microscopic organisms are already recognized. There are three types of classifications. They are artificial, natural and Phylogenetic.
Around 3000,000 species of green plants, over 100000 fungi and a few thousand bacteria and other microscopic organisms are already recognized. There are three types of classifications. They are artificial, natural and Phylogenetic.
Artificial classification
1. Only a few characters are considered
2. Members of different groups are usually not similar in hereditary pattern
3. Stable classification
4. Provides only limited information
5. Cannot add new work
6. Difficult for identifying a particular species or genera
7. Not related phylogenetically
Example: Linnaeus classified plants based on the number, arrangement and fusion of sexual parts, e.g'., in one of his classes he classified plants into Monondria (single stamen), Diandria (two stamens), Triandria (three stamens) and polyandria (more stamens).
- Almost all the characters are considered
- Members of different groups are mostly similar in hereditary pattern
- May change with advancement in knowledge
- Provides plenty of useful information
- Recent advancement in the field can be added
- Plant identification easy
- Closely related to phylogenetically