A preliminary review of the modern classification systems of the flowering plants

Lu An-Ming

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1981-08-18 Published:1981-08-18
Contact: Lu An-Ming

Abstract:

The present paper is divided into three parts:

1. The first part is devoted to the review of the historical origin of the modern

classification systems of the flowering plants. Early systems of classification since the

Aristotelian time provided a basis for the modern schemes of classification. This paper

has reviewed briefly the history of plant systematics, which is divided into

three periods: the period of mechanical systems of classification, of natural systems of

classification, and of phylogenetic systems of classification. The historical development

of the plant systems and the basic idea for three periods is discussed respectively. This

paper also considers that the studies of the modern classification system have been en-

tering a new period which primarily aims at overall evolutionary respects.

2. Comparison of the modern classification systems of the flowering plants. Four

main modern systems (i. e. A. Cronquist 1979, A. Takhtajan 1980, J. Hutchinson 1973

and A. Engler^,s system as revised by H. Melchior in Engler^,s Syllabus der Pflanzen-

familien 1964) which have greatly influenced the systemstics of plants are compared as

to their systematical principles, basic concepts and systematic positions of higher taxa

(orders and families) of the flowering plants. The paper is of the opinion that there

is still much important work to be done in every field.

3. A review for the modern classification systems of the flowering plants. The

paper reviews the modern classification of angiosperms from six aspects: a). The

flowers plants are originated from a common ancestral stock; b). The flowers of

angiosperms are homogeneous, stamen and carpel are phylletic sporangiophores,

all flowers of angiosperms are comparable; c). Monocotyledons are originated

from primitive dicotyledons, and represent phylogenetically monophyletic branch; d).

The idea advocating the subdivision of Dicotyledoneae into Lignosae and Herbaceae

should be rejected as pointed out by many authors; e). The systematical position of

Hamamelidae is still a crucial subject for further research; f). The evolutional trends

and evaluation of taxonomic characters must be considered in connection with the cor-

relation to other characters in question.

Lu An-Ming. A preliminary review of the modern classification systems of the flowering plants[J]. .

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