PCP 202: CLASSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURAL

PLANTS
PLANT TAXONOMY
Plant taxonomy is the science that finds describes, classifies, identifies and names plant.
It is thus one of the main branches of taxonomy. Systematics deals with the scientific
study of interrelationship, taxonomy, identification, nomenclature, classification,
diversity and differences between crops. Taxonomy is one aspect of systematics that is
concerned with the study of principles, procedures, rules, regulations and it is the bases of
classification. In taxonomic studies the group of any rank is termed as taxon.
Plant taxonomy has two aims:
a) Identify all kinds of plants; this requires making a complete inventory of all
plants. In scientific work it is essential to apply names with precision because the
validity of research depends on correct identification of materials involved.
b) To arrange the kind of plant in a scheme of classification that will show their true
relationship.
To be able to achieve this, the taxonomist must utilize the methods and resources of all
the major fields of botanical investigation.
- the morphologist gives him an understanding of form and structure.
- The physiologist can point out the requirements for the existence of physiological
species that appear identical but differ in their requirement
- The ecologist can furnish information about the relationship between plants and
environment, about how environment may affect form and structure and how the
effective action of the environment determine which plants will survive.
- The geneticist and cytologist contribute information concerning inheritance and
reproduction as well as chromosome and morphology.
- Biochemistry is used effectively to solve taxonomic riddles.

The nomenclature of plants are sometimes changed. E.g. Eupatorium odoratum to

Chromolaena odorata; Voandzeia subterranean to Vigna subterranean. Such changes are
based on new information that will enable the taxonomist to name and classify plants
according to acceptable rules of plant nomenclature.
The science of taxonomy is a synthesis of four interested fields:
1.) Systematic botany: includes genetics and cytology as well as other techniques
applicable to the fields
2.) Taxonomic system: includes taxonomic concepts of plant group, or texa; concepts
of evolutionary sequence of characteristics; classification and arrangement of
texa, description of texa or photography.
3.) Nomenclature: a method of naming plants based on international rules. This
permits only a single valid scientific name for each kind of plant; the discarded
name is known as synonym.
4.) Documentation: preservation of living or fossil flora in a museum or habarium,
including type, specimen and illustration.
C.) Plant Classification: This is the process of ordering plants into groups which are
arranged in hierarchy. Each group termed taxon (plural taxa) contain items or objects
with close resemblance which may be neutral or artificial. The first classification of
plants were based on their economic uses, e.g cereals, medicinal plants, oil yielding
plants etc. or on gross structural resemblances e.g herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers etc.
Agronomic classification: Cereal or grain crops e.g. wheat, rice, maize, oat, sorghum,
millet etc., Legumes for seeds (Pulses): e.g. peanut, fieldbean, fieldpea, pigeon pea,
cowpea, soybean etc., Forage crops: e.g. grasses, legumes, crucifers etc. Root crops: e.g.
sugarbeet, mangel, carrot, turnip, sweetpotato, cassava, yam., Fibre crops: e.g. cotton,
kenaf etc. Tuber crops: e.g. potato, yam, etc. Sugar crops: e.g. sugarbeet, sugarcane etc.
Vegetable crops: e.g. potato, sweetpotato, carrot, tunip etc.
An ideal system of classification should indicate the actual genetic relationship and also
be within a reasonable limit of convenience for practical purpose.

PLANT CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom
Division
Class
Order
Family
Tribe
Genus- Plural: Genera
Species
Varieties, races, lines

All natural classification has a sound scientific basis while artificial classification is based
on conveniences. In botany the following are hierarchical classes in descending order.
The different hierarchies end with certain recommending letters thus: class-ae; order-
ales; family-aceae; subfamily- eae.
From the hierarchical arrangement, there is a relationship between the groups and the
division according to the differences between them. Varieties are important for
agricultural purposes.
For example, yam has a specific (species) name and a generic name. The classification of
of yam according to its hierarchical inter-relationship is as follow:

Species- rotundata
Genus or Generic name-Dioscorea
Tribe- Dioscoreaceae
Family- Dioscoreaceae
Order- Dioscoreales
Class- Dicotyledoneae
Division- Spermatophyta
Kindom- planta

Keys: A key provides several choices of characteristics by which one can identify a plant.
Below is the list of some plant families and their local name

FAMILY LOCAL EXAMPLES

Agavaceae Sisal hemp
Alliaceae Allium cepa, Onion
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus sp. Greens
Anacardiaceae Mangifera indica, Mango
Araceae Colocasia, cocoyam
Bromelaliaceae Anana – pineapple
Caricaceae Carica papaya – Pawpaw
Convolvulaceae Sweet potato
Dioscoreaceae yams (Dioscorea sp.)
Poaceae Maize, rice
Fabaceae (Leguminoseae) Cowpea
Malvaceae Cotton, Okra
Rubiaceae Coffee
Rutaceae Citrus (Citrus sp.)
Solanaceae Tobacco

NOMENCLATURE
1. As the number of plants known to man increased, it became apparent that some form
of generally acceptable set of principles had to be adopted in naming them to avoid
confusion botanists adopted rules known as the international code of Professional.
2. Nomenclature may be defined as the system of naming plants, animals or other objects.
In botanical nomenclature, the names given to plants are either Latin names or Latinized
names taken from other languages.
Botanical Nomenclature: these rules deals with the use and application of scientific
names.

Binomial Nomenclature:
The Binomial system of nomenclature was started by Carolous Linnaeus (1753). In this
system, the plants are given 2 names. One name is given to the genus, called generic
name. The other is given to the species, the specific name. A plant therefore is underlined
when printed. For example the scientific name for Yam is Diosscorea spp underlined
when written and Dioscorea spp and printed form. Based on the International code, there
can only be one group of plants in the genus Dioscorea. Within each genus there can only
be one group of plants in the genus Dioscorea. Within each genus there can only be one
valid specific epithet esculentus, but the same specific epithet way apply to plants of
different genus e.g Manihot esculentus., Abelmoscus esculentus etc.
The following terminologies are generally employed in plant taxonomy.
GENERIC NAME:- This is always a noun and it is always written with a capital initial
letter. It may be desciptive or the aboniginal name of plants or a name in honour of a
person such as Jeffersonia sp after Thomus Jefferson or Linnea sp. For Linnaeus.
SPECIFIC NAME:- This may be any of the following;
(a) An adjective agreing with the generic name in gender, and usually indicating a
distinguishing characteristic of the species or sometimes referring to a locality where the
species was first discovered e.g. Ulmus Americana, Pennisetum Americana etc.
(b) A noun such as it occurs when the species is named in honour of one or more
persons e.g Carex davissi after Mr Davis, Gilia piersonae after Miss Pierson. Note the
ending letters in the two names.
The names of taxa superior to genus, such as orders families and subdivision of
such groups are also formed in accordance with generally accepted principles.
ORDER:- Is the major taxa immediately superior to the family. We form the name of the
order by adding ales to the stem of an included generic name e.g Poales for Poa for the
order including grasses.
FAMILY:- A family consists of a group of related genera. We form its name, except for a
few that antedate the standardized system, by adding aceae to the stem of an included
generic name e.g Rosaceae for Rosa etc. A few family have long been designated by
nauns that predate this system e.g

Grass family
Mustard family
Pea family
Sunflower family
Family name Old name New name
Grass Gramineae Poaceae
Mustard Cruciferae Brassicaceae
Pea Leguminouseae Fabaceae
Sunflower Compositeae Asteraceae

SUB-FAMILY:- A major subdivision of a family and is sometimes used when the size of
the family justifies it and when the included genera may be naturally so grouped. We
form the name by adding oideae to the stem of an included generic name e.g
Festucoideae, for Festuca and Panicoideae for panicum.
TRIBE:- Is a subdivision of a family, subordinate to the subfamily when the taxon is
employed. We form the name by adding eae to the stem of an included generic name, e.g
Festuceae from Festuca, for the Fescue tribe of the grass family.
AUTHORITY:- This refers ti the name of the person(s) written after the scientific name
or taxon. The authors name may be written out, but more commonly it is indicated by a
standardized abbreviation. For example Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass) was first
named and described by Linnaeus, he became the authority for that name and it is written
as Poa pratensis, L., Erythronium grandifloruim Pursh.; Lomatuim montanum C and R.
When rank of a plant is changed or when a specie is transferred from one genus to
another, the name of the original author is placed in parenteses and it is followed by e.g
Abelmoschus esculentus (Moendi) L., Medicago Zatira (L) All., Feruca foeniculacea
(Nutt.) C and R.
Summary of Taxa used in classification for Poa pretenses.
Kingdom - Plantae, plant kingdom
Division - Embryophyta, embryo plant
Subdivision - Phanaerogana – seed plants
Branch - Angiospermae
Class - Monocotyledoneae
Subclass - Glumiflorae – chaffy flower
Order - Poaceae - grass and sedges
Family - Poaceae – grass
Subfamily - Festucoideae
Tribe - Festuceae
Genus - Poa
Section - Protenses
Species - Poa pretenses

TYPE:- Type method is used by taxonomist to actieve stabilization of taxa from species
and subdivisions.
The original plant on which the descriptive is based is deposited in a standard herbarium.
When the original species is lost by accident, substitutes are provided and placed in the
herbarium. The following are the terminologies for the type,
Method
HOLOTYPE: A particular specimen or element designated by the author which
automatically fizes the application of this name.
LECTOTYPE: A specimen or element related by a competent worker from the original
material studied by the author, to save as substitute for the holotype if the original
material gets missing.
NEOTYPE:- A specimen selected to serve as substituete for the holotype when all
material on which the name was based is missing.
ISOTYPE:- A specimen , other than the holotype, which duplicates the holotypes from
the same collection, with the same locality, date and number as the holotype.
PARATYPE OR CO-TYPE:- Any specimen, other than the holotype, referred to in the
original publication of the taxon.
SYNTYPE:- One of two or more specimen or elements used by the author of a taxon if
no hologype was designated.
TOPOTYPE:- A specimen collected at the same locality as the halotype and therefore
probably representing the same population.

CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERM- Flowering plants

The angiosperms belong to the branch – angiospermae and could be divided into
2 classes:- Monocotyledoneae and Dicotyledoneae.
MONOCOTYLEDONEAE: - This class consists of many subclasses and the important
ones among them are;
1 Subclass Calyciferae – The agriculturally important order are :-
(a) Order Bromeliales:- This contain, the pineapple family Bromeliaceae which is
mainly epiphytic,tropical and subtropical with densely clustered linear and usually spring
toothed leaves.
(b) Order Zingiberates – This contain 2 important families;
Musaeae – which is banana and plantain and ginger.
Family – Zingiberaceae.
 Subclass - Corolliferae – Agriculturally important orders are;
(a) Order – Liliales which contain lily family liliaceae which contains onion
(b) Order – Arales which contain Araceae family. Important crops from the family
includes coconut palm – Cocos nucifera, date palm – Phoenix doctylifera; Royal palm-
Roystonea regia; raffia palm – Raphia pedunculata etc.
3 Subclass Glumiflorae
This contains grasses and grass-like plants. Important order include.
(a) Order – poales – Annual or perennial, mostly grasslike herbs. Two families can be
distinguished in this order: Cyperacea (sedges) and poaceae (grasses). Members of
cyperaceae are mainly weeds. Poaceae is the most important plant family in the world
and it contain all the cereels grains that serves as food for man and his animals. Key
include;
Oats - Avena sativa
Barley- Hordeum vulgare
Wheat- Triticum aestivum
Rice - Oryza sativa
Sugarcane- Saccharum officinarum
Sorghum- Sorghum vulgare
Maize - Zea mays
Millet - Penisetum sp.
The forage crops include
Andropogon sp - gamba grass
Panicum maximum - guinea grass
Digitaria sp - crab grass
Cynoden sp - giant star grass etc.

DICOTYLEDONEAE
This class contains many subclasses. Important ones among them include.
Sub-class- polypetalae – contain many orders. Such as:-
(a) Order paparales – contain many families such as Brassicaceae which contain
mostly herbs with pungent watery juice. Members of the family include – Cabbage-
Brassica oleracea, radish- Rapharues sativa; turnip – Brassica rapa.
(b) Order Rosaleles – herbs, shrubs or trees with simple or compound leaves. This is
one of the largest order of flowering plant and it include families such as Rosaceae,
saxifragaceae, Fabeaceae etc. Fabaceae are herbs, shrubs or trees. It is usually divided
into three sub families:- Mimosoideae, Ceasalppiniodeae and lotoideae. Among the three
only Lotoideae subfamily contain food crops which include; pea- Pisum sativum, sweet
peas – Lathyrus odoratus, soyabeans- Glycine sp. It also contains important species such
as clover – Trofolium sp, alfalfa – Medicago sativa.
(c) Order geraniales: contains an important family- Rutaceae which contain aromatic
trees or shrubs, important crop, include sweet orange – Citrus sinensis, Lemon- Citrus
limon, grapefruit – citrus maxima, citron- citrus medica.
(d) Order Malvales – contain Tiliaceae and Malvaceae families. Tiliaceae contain
corchorus, a popular vegetable. Crops such as cotton – Gossypium sp., okra –
Abelmoscus esculentus, Rosette- Hibiscus sabdarifaa etc.
(e) Order Sapindales – contains an important family such as Anacardiaceae which
contain crops such as Anacardiaceae which contain crops such as cashew- Anacarduim
Occidentale, Mango – Mangifera indica.
(f) Order Euphorbiales – contains only one family Euphorbiaceae which are herbs,
shrubs or trees often with milk juice. Important members of the family are; Rubber –
Hevea braziliensis; Cassava- Manihot sp, Castor oil- Ricinus communis. The family also
includes important ornamentals such as Euphorbia pulcherrima- poinsettia.
SUBCLASS – SYMPETALAE
(A) Order Scrphulariales – contain plant of various habitat but predominantly
herbaceous. Important family include solanaceae which contain plants which are chiefly
herbaceous, climbing and occasionally woody. Important crops in this family include;
potato - Solanum luberosum, tomato – Lycopersicon esculentum, tobacco- Nicotiana
tubeccum, peppers – Capsicum frutescens etc.
(b) Order Rubiales : Important family include Rubiaceae – mostly trees or shrubs e.g
coffee- Coffea Arabica.
(c) Order Cucurbitales – important family is cucurbitaceae and contain such
vegetable crops as pumpkin- Cucurbita pepo, Water melon – Citruthis lunatus, Cucumber
– Cucumis sativus, calabash – Lagenaria sp. Etc.