1. PLANT TAXONOMY

2. Learning Objectives
Students will be able to define order, family, genus and species.
Students will understand the process of plant classification.

3. Plant Classification.
In order to study the billions of different organisms living on Earth, scientists have sorted and classified them based on their similarities and differences.
This system of classification is also called taxonomy and usually features both English and Latin names for different divisions.
It is always best to specify the exact plant you want by the scientific name.
It is also important for people in the commercial plant and nursery business to know both scientific and common names as they become confusing.

4. Theophrastus B.C.
He was a Greek philosopher and naturalist and is often called the "Father of Botany."
He was a pupil of Aristotle and was the first person to publish a classification of plants.
Classified plants based on form
Herbs, shrubs, trees
Annuals, perennials, biennials

5. Carolus Linnaeus
Linnaeus was the first person to propose an orderly system for classifying organisms.
He developed the Binomial System of Naming Plants in 1753
Bi= 2
Nomial= name
All plants have a scientific name composed of two Latin names known as a genus and specie
His system is still used today and his called the Father of Taxonomy!

6. Plant Classification
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

7. Activity Mnemonics at its best!
You and a partner will develop your own acronym mnemonics that will help you in remembering the order of classification!
You will have to come up with an interesting sentence using the first word of each division of classification, in order!
Example: King Phillip Comes Over For Great Spaghetti!
Be Prepared to share your Mnemonic with the class!

8. Plant Kingdom Over 275,000 species
All plants are included in one Kingdom (Plantae) which is then broken down into smaller and smaller divisions based on several characteristics, including:
Whether they can circulate fluids (like rainwater) through their bodies or need to absorb them from the moisture that surrounds them
How they reproduce (by spores or different kinds of seeds)
Their size or stature.

9. Phylum Plants are divided in this category based on:
whether or not the plant bears or produces seeds.
Vascular or Non-Vascular plants
Over 250,000 plants in this category.

10. Class Over 235,00 species Plants are divided into two types of classes
Angiospermae (angiosperms)- plants which produce flowers
Gymnospermae (gymnosperms)- plants which don’t produce flowers
Subclass
Dicotyledonae (dicotyledons/dicots)– plants with two seed leaves
Monocotyledonae (monocotyledons/monocot)- plants with one seed leaf

11. Order
A group of related plant families, classified in the order in which they are thought to have developed their differences from a common ancestor.
Vegetative Structures
Reproductive Structures
Over 18,000 species
Names of orders end in ales

12. Family Each order is divided into families
These are plants with many botanical features in common.
Vegetative and Reproductive Structures used.
Related plants with similar flower parts are grouped together.
The Rose Family, Rosaceae, consists of plums, apples, strawberries because they all have similar flower structures.
The names of families end in –aceae
Over3,500 species

13. Genus
This is the part of the plant name that is most familiar, the normal name that you give a plant- Papaver (Poppy).
This is the plants group name
All plants having the same generic name are said to belong to the same Genus and have similar characteristics and are closely related.
The name of the Genus should be written with a capital letter.
Over 500 species

14. Examples of plant Genus
Acer- all maples
Pinus- all pines
Ilex- all hollies
Quercus- all oaks
Begonia- all begonias
Rhododendron- all azaleas
Juniperus- all junipers
Viola- all violet types
** Think of the plant Genus name as a noun!

15. specie This is the highest level that defines an individual plant.
Often, the name will describe some aspect of the plant. The color of the flowers, size or shape of the leaves, or it may be named after the place where it was found.
Together the Genus and species name refer to only one plant, and they are used to identify that particular plant.
The specie name is an adjective that describes the genus.
*Alba means white: Quercus alba= white oak
*Rubrum means red: Acer rubrum= red maple
The name of the species should be written after the Genus name, in small letters, with no capital letter.

16. Examples of specie and Genus
Acer rubrum= Red maple
Acer saccharum= Sugar maple
Acer palmatum= Japanese maple
Quercus palustris= Pin oak
Quercus virginiana= Live oak
Specific names give geographical information:
Pinus virginia- Virginia Pine
Taxes canadensis= Canadian Yew
Tsuga caroliniana= Carolina Hemlock

17. Example of Classification
Common Name: Corn Plant
Category
Scientific Name
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Spermatophyta
Class
Angiospermae
Sub-Class
Monocotyledonae
Family
Gramine
Genus
Zea
Specie
Mays

18. Activity! Karaoke E-Moment!
Remember the Classification Rap Video from the beginning of class?
Use the following classification order and meanings to create your very own song!
You may work with a partner! Be creative!
Pick you favorite song as you know the words and can plug in the classification terms!
Row, row, row you boat, right down Classification Lane…..
Mary had a little Kingdom……

19. Ticket out the Door! Explain why plants are classified?
Who was the first person to create a classification of plants?
Who is the Father of Taxonomy? What did he create that is still used today?
What is the Kingdom called for plants?
___________classifies plants on whether or not the plant bears or produces seeds.
List the two type of classes for plants.
_________emerge from the ground with 2 leaves.
Related plants with similar flower parts are grouped together as____________.
________ is the plants group name.
_________defines an individual plant and it will describe some aspect of the plant.

20. Ticket out the Door! Explain why plants are classified?
Who was the first person to create a classification of plants?
Who is the Father of Taxonomy? What did he create that is still used today?
What is the Kingdom called for plants?
___________classifies plants on whether or not the plant bears or produces seeds.
List the two type of classes for plants.
_________emerge from the ground with 2 leaves.
Related plants with similar flower parts are grouped together as____________.
________ is the plants group name.
_________defines an individual plant and it will describe some aspect of the plant.