Part 1: Classification and naming of plants
1. Introduction
Plant classification = arrangement of plants into groups
Plant taxonomy = the science of arranging plants into groups in a hierarchy
Taxonomically plants are arranged like this:
Here is an example of a classification for a type of coneflower called Rudbeckia hirta var. floridana:
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division (phylum) | Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons) |
| Sub-class | Asteridae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae (Aster family) |
| Genus | Rudbeckia |
| Species | Rudbeckia hirta |
| Variety | Rudbeckia hirta var. floridana |
The groups are very large to start with, the domain of Eukarya for example includes all organisms which have the nucleus in their cells enclosed in a nuclear envelope. This includes all plants, animals, protozoa, chromista and fungi. But when you get down to the classification of genus, there are only around 25 types (species) of plant in this group. By the time you get to ‘variety’ there is only one plant in the group!
Have a go at classifying a few plants of your choice. Use the internet to help you.
Ideas:
- You could have a go at classifying a flowering plant, for example a favourite rose or lily.
- You could try a conifer, for example a pine.
- You could try a bulbous plant, for example a tulip.
Plants can also be classified into groups based on other characteristics:
| Classification | Examples |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Bog plants, drought tolerant plants and alpine plants |
| Soil type | Ericaceous (acid loving) plants and calcicoles (alkali loving) plants |
| Physical characteristics | Grasses and bamboos, trees, shrubs and bulbs |
| Plant use | Medicinal plants, herbs, vegetables and fruit plants |
| Desirable attributes | Plants which are resistant to deer or rabbits, scented flowers, plants with flowers which are good for cutting and bird or bee friendly plants |
| Aspect | Shade, plants for semi-shade and plants for full sun |