Plant Systematics

Paper Code: 
24BOT321
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
  1. To enable the students to identify thrust areas of modern taxonomy without shifting focus from the traditional ones.
  2. To enable students to classify the higher plants based on their taxonomical characters
  3. To introduce various classification (Classical and Modern) methodologies in vogue for Angiosperms
  4. To impart knowledge about the economic importance of higher plants under the taxonomic hierarchy.
  5. To create an exposure on preservation techniques of plants leading to their collection during field trips.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

 Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24BOT

321

 

Plant Systematics

 

CO71: Develop an insight into goals and essence of taxonomy and analyse different types of systems of classification and compare their salient features.

CO72: Apply the knowledge of ICNafp and interpret the rules of nomenclature and develop an aptitude for the guiding principles of taxonomy

CO73: Review and analyze different types of taxonomic literature. Assess the role of BSI in plant exploration and the role of botanical gardens and herbaria in conservation.

CO74: Critically evaluate important plant families.

CO75: Integrate the modern trends in taxonomy to the higher level of learning and understanding plant systematics

CO76: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, assignments, Demonstration, Problem-based learning

Learning activities for the students:

Quiz, Seminar presentations, Collaborative projects

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Systematics

 

Goal and essence of taxonomy; systems of classification – artificial, natural and phylogenetic. Current systems of classification – Takhatajan, Cronquist, Thorne, APG System (Judd 2002).                                                                                    

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Botanical nomenclature & Taxonomic hierarchy

 

The International Code of Nomenclature of Algae, Fungi and Plants (ICNafp) – Principles, rules and recommendations. Principle of priority; typification; rule of valid and effective publication; author citation; retention and rejection of names; change of rank; nomenclature of fossils, lichens, fungi and hybrid & cultivated plants.

Taxonomic hierarchy:  Concept of genus and family, primitive vs Advanced characters, homology, analogy, parallelism, convergence, horizontal and vertical classification, monophylly and polyphylly.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Taxonomic literature & flora of India

 

Floras, Monographs, Manuals, Bibliographies, Catalogues, Taxonomic index, Keys for identification.

Introduction to flora of India, endemic & endangered species, Red data Book, role of Botanical survey of India. Herbaria, botanical garden.                           

12.00
Unit IV: 
Diagnostic features, systematics, phylogeny and economic importance

 

Diagnostic features, systematics, phylogeny and economic importance of Ranunculaceae, Magnoliaceae, Fabaceae (Papillionaceae, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae), Rosaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae, Apocyanaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Convolvulaceae,Solanaceae, Acanthaceae, Lamiaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orchidiaceae, Liliaceae, Araceae and Poaceae.                                                                       

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Modern trends in Taxonomy

 

Chemotaxonomy:  application of phytochemistry to taxonomy.

Numerical taxonomy:  Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU’s), selection of characters, data processing, clusters analysis.

Biosystematics: Concept and categories, methods in experimental taxonomy.

Computerized systematics:  GIS, Data banking and use of computers in taxonomy.

Molecular approaches to Plant Taxonomy: Applications of DNA markers in plant taxonomy.                                                                                            

Essential Readings: 
  • Simpson, M.G. (2019). Plant systematics. Burlington, MA Academic Press
  • Pandey, A.K. & Kasana, S.(2021). Plant systematics. Boca Raton London New York CRC Press Delhi
  • Judd, W.S. (2016). Plant systematics: A phylogenetic approach. Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer.
  • Pullaiah, T., & Karuppusamy, S. (2018). Taxonomy of angiosperms. New Delhi : Regency Publications,
  • Sambamurty, A.V.S.S. (2005). Taxonomy of angiosperms. New Delhi: I.K. International
  • Singh, G. (2010). Plant Systematics: An integrated approach. Enfield (NH: Science Publishers.
  • Grant, W.F. (2014). Plant Biosystematics. Saint Louis: Elsevier Science

 

References: 

Suggested Readings:

  • Davis, P.H., & Heywood, V.H. (2011). Principles angiosperm taxonomy. New Delhi: SP Publisher.
  • Heslop-Harrison, J. (1969). New concepts in flowering-plant taxonomy. London: Heinemann.
  • Jones, S.B., & Luchsinger, A.E. (1979). Plant systematics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Kocchar, S.L. (2012). Economic Botany in Tropics, 2nd edition. McMillan India Ltd., New Delhi.
  • Kumar, S. (2009). Economic Botany. Campus books International, New Delhi.
  • Dahiya, B.S. (1979). Systematic Botany: (Taxonomy of Angiosperms) for University Students. New Delhi: Kalyani Pub.
  • Verne, G. (1982). Plant speciation. New York: Columbia University Press.

 

e-Resources:

 

Journals:

  • Taxon (Journal of IAPT)
  • Journal of Plant Systematics and Evolution (Springer)
  • Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants (National Herbarium of the Netherlands)
  • Taxonomy (MDPI)

 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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