PLANT TAXONOMY FLASHCARD #1 2025
Systematics - correct answer Scientific study of the diversity of organisms and of any
and all relationships among them. It is an extremely broad field that cuts across many
disciplines.
Biological Classification - correct answer the ordering of organisms into groups on the
basis of their relationships. An essential part of systematics, but the terms are not
synonymous.
Taxonomy - correct answer study of classification, including its principles, procedures,
and rules.
Need For Systematics: - correct answer Identification - scientists working on a group of
plants will eventually need to communicate the results of their studies to others.
Relationships - in many scientific studies, it is necessary to know not only what a
particular organism is, but also what other organisms it is closely related to. This is
especially true in biology (agriculture, pharmacology, plant breeding, etc.
Goals of Modern Plant Systematics: - correct answer 1. To provide useful and
convenient methods of plant identification
2. To inventory the plant life of the world
3. To provide a classification system that expresses the natural relationships of plants
4. Detect the process of evolution at work, discovering its processes and interpreting its
results.
Identification - correct answer determining the correct group to which an individual
organism belongs.
Classification vs Identification: - correct answer Classification deals with groups of
organisms while identification deals with individuals; identification requires that some
system of classification already exists.
Prerequisites for making accurate identifications: - correct answer 1. Knowledge of
taxonomic methods, terms and characters.
2. Familiarity with manuals and other resources for identification.
3. Experience in the process of identification.
Methods of Plant Identification
Three categories for making accurate identifications: - correct answer 1. Expert
determination
2. Comparison methods
3. Taxonomic keys
, Expert Determination - correct answer ask someone who knows. Most universities have
a plant systematist who is familiar with the local flora. Other resources also exist:
botanical garden staff, consultants, master naturalist, agency personnel, interested
Amateurs.
Advantages:
Best method in terms of accuracy and reliability.
Disadvantages:
Requires access to, and the time of, an expert, which may cause delays in identification.
Comparison Methods - correct answer involve comparing an unknown plant with
photographs, illustrations, descriptions, or previously identified plant specimens.
Categories of Comparison Methods: - correct answer 1. Comparison with Illustrations or
Descriptions - favored by those with little training in process of identification.
Advantages:
Easy; does not require technical knowledge.
Disadvantages:
Most field guides are not comprehensive.
2. Comparison with Herbarium Specimens - useful, of you happen to have access to an
herbarium.
Advantages:
Comprehensive.
Unknown plants are compared with physical plant specimens.
Disadvantages:
Requires access to an herbarium.
Can be time-consuming, especially if you don't know where to begin.
Herbarium - correct answer a collection of pressed and dried plants that have been
identified and mounted on sheets of paper.
Taxonomic Keys - correct answer A sequence of choices between pairs of contrasting
statements that ID plants by process of elimination. Most widely used method of
identification. When properly used, they allow you to quickly and accurately identify an
unknown plant.
Advantages:
Available for most areas.
Comprehensive (include all the plants that occur in a given area).
Systematics - correct answer Scientific study of the diversity of organisms and of any
and all relationships among them. It is an extremely broad field that cuts across many
disciplines.
Biological Classification - correct answer the ordering of organisms into groups on the
basis of their relationships. An essential part of systematics, but the terms are not
synonymous.
Taxonomy - correct answer study of classification, including its principles, procedures,
and rules.
Need For Systematics: - correct answer Identification - scientists working on a group of
plants will eventually need to communicate the results of their studies to others.
Relationships - in many scientific studies, it is necessary to know not only what a
particular organism is, but also what other organisms it is closely related to. This is
especially true in biology (agriculture, pharmacology, plant breeding, etc.
Goals of Modern Plant Systematics: - correct answer 1. To provide useful and
convenient methods of plant identification
2. To inventory the plant life of the world
3. To provide a classification system that expresses the natural relationships of plants
4. Detect the process of evolution at work, discovering its processes and interpreting its
results.
Identification - correct answer determining the correct group to which an individual
organism belongs.
Classification vs Identification: - correct answer Classification deals with groups of
organisms while identification deals with individuals; identification requires that some
system of classification already exists.
Prerequisites for making accurate identifications: - correct answer 1. Knowledge of
taxonomic methods, terms and characters.
2. Familiarity with manuals and other resources for identification.
3. Experience in the process of identification.
Methods of Plant Identification
Three categories for making accurate identifications: - correct answer 1. Expert
determination
2. Comparison methods
3. Taxonomic keys
, Expert Determination - correct answer ask someone who knows. Most universities have
a plant systematist who is familiar with the local flora. Other resources also exist:
botanical garden staff, consultants, master naturalist, agency personnel, interested
Amateurs.
Advantages:
Best method in terms of accuracy and reliability.
Disadvantages:
Requires access to, and the time of, an expert, which may cause delays in identification.
Comparison Methods - correct answer involve comparing an unknown plant with
photographs, illustrations, descriptions, or previously identified plant specimens.
Categories of Comparison Methods: - correct answer 1. Comparison with Illustrations or
Descriptions - favored by those with little training in process of identification.
Advantages:
Easy; does not require technical knowledge.
Disadvantages:
Most field guides are not comprehensive.
2. Comparison with Herbarium Specimens - useful, of you happen to have access to an
herbarium.
Advantages:
Comprehensive.
Unknown plants are compared with physical plant specimens.
Disadvantages:
Requires access to an herbarium.
Can be time-consuming, especially if you don't know where to begin.
Herbarium - correct answer a collection of pressed and dried plants that have been
identified and mounted on sheets of paper.
Taxonomic Keys - correct answer A sequence of choices between pairs of contrasting
statements that ID plants by process of elimination. Most widely used method of
identification. When properly used, they allow you to quickly and accurately identify an
unknown plant.
Advantages:
Available for most areas.
Comprehensive (include all the plants that occur in a given area).
