The Classification of PlantsThe Classification of Plants
The Father of TaxonomyThe Father of Taxonomy
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)
Swedish botanist
System of binomial nomenclature
(two names)
Taxonomic Hierarchy Chart
Kingdom Plantae (plants)
Division (Phylum) Spermatophyta (seed bearing plants)
Subdivision Angiospermae (flowering plants with covered seeds)
Class Liliopsida (monocots)
Order Zingiberales (ginger family)
Family Musaceae (bananas)
Genus Strelitzia
Species reginae
Common name Bird of Paradise
Scientific NamesScientific Names
Latin
Genus species
Genus--capitalized
Species--not capitalized
Written in italics or underlined
X denotes a cross
‘ ’ denote a cultivar--man made cross
Variety—naturally occurring cross
Examples of Scientific NamesExamples of Scientific Names
Strelitzia reginae
Hedra helix
Homo sapiens
Ficus benjamina ‘Golden Princess’
Nephrolepis exalta cv.
Pelargonium x domesticum cv.
Plant ClassificationPlant Classification
Annual
◦a plant, that lasts but one year or season
Biennial
◦continuing for two years, and then perishing, as plants which
form roots and leaves the first year, and produce fruit the
second
Perennial
◦a plant lasting for three seasons or more
Woody
◦a plant having hard lignified tissues or woody parts especially
stems
Herbaceous
◦a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering
garden plants or potherbs