Eichler system

A system of plant taxonomy, the Eichler system was the first phylogenetic (phyletic) or evolutionary system. It was developed by August W. Eichler (1839–1887), initially in his Blüthendiagramme (1875–1878) and then in successive editions of his Syllabus (1876–1890). After his death his colleague Adolf Engler (1844–1930) continued its development, and it became widely accepted.

The system was based on dividing the plant kingdom into those plants with concealed reproductive organs (non-floral), the (Cryptogamae, = hidden reproduction) and those with visible reproductive organs (floral), the (Phanerogamae, = visible reproduction). Moreover, Eichler was the first taxonomist to separate the Phanerogamae into Angiosperms and Gymnosperms and the former into Monocotyledonae and Dicotyledonae. His primary ranks were Divisions (Abtheilung), followed by orders (Reihe).

Volume I (1875)
Contents pp. VI–VIII Synopsis:
 * Division I Gymnospermae p. 54
 * Division II Monocotyledoneae p. 73
 * Division III Dicotyledoneae p. 187 (part)

Volume II (1878)
Contents pp. V–VIII Synopsis:
 * Division III Dicotyledoneae p. 187 (continued)

Syllabus (Fourth edition 1886)
The system (here taken from the 4th edition of the Syllabus, 1886) divides plants into divisions, classes and groups. Groups were further divided into orders.
 * Note: ranks translated into Latin

Outline : p. 6. Page numbers refer to text


 * A. Cryptogamae
 * division I. Thallophyta
 * classis I. Algae
 * group I. Cyanophyceae
 * group II. Diatomeae
 * group III. Chlorophyceae p. 8
 * group IV. Phaeophyceae
 * group V. Rhodophyceae
 * classis II. Fungi
 * group I. Schizomycetes
 * group II. Eumycetes
 * group III. Lichenes
 * division II. Bryophyta
 * classis I. Hepaticae
 * classis II. Musci
 * division III. Pteridophyta p. 21
 * classis I. Equisetinae
 * classis II. Lycopodinae
 * classis III. Filicinae
 * B. Phanerogamae
 * division I. Gymnospermae p. 33
 * division II. Angiospermae p. 34
 * classis I. Monocotyleae (7 orders) p. 34
 * order I. Liliiflorae p. 34
 * ordo II. Enantioblastae
 * ordo III. Spadiciflorae
 * ordo IV. Glumiflorae
 * ordo V. Scitamineae
 * ordo VI. Gynandreae
 * classis II. Dicotyleae p. 39
 * subclassis I. Choripetalae
 * subclassis II. Sympetalae p. 58

Class Monocotyleae

 * order I. Liliiflorae p. 34 (6 families)
 * 1. Liliaceae (3 subfamilies)
 * a. Lilieae
 * Tulipa Gagea Fritillaria Lilium Ornithogalum Allium Hyacinthus Asphodelus Aloë
 * b. Melanthieae
 * Colchicum Veratrum Tofieldia
 * c. Smilaceae
 * Paris Convallaria Asparagus Smilax
 * 2. Amaryllidaceae p. 35
 * Galanthus Leucojum Narcissus Agave
 * 3. Juncaceae p. 35
 * 4. Iridaceae p. 35
 * 5. Haemodoraceae p. 35
 * 6. Dioscoreaceae p. 35
 * 7. Bromeliaceae p. 35
 * ordo II. Enantioblastae p. 35
 * ordo III. Spadiciflorae p. 36
 * ordo IV. Glumiflorae p. 36
 * ordo V. Scitamineae p. 38
 * ordo VI. Gynandreae p. 38

Works by Eichler

 * Volume I: 1875
 * Volume II: 1878
 * Syllabus der Vorlesungen über Phanerogamenkunde Lipsius und Tischer, Kiel 1876.
 * Subsequent editions published as Syllabus der Vorlesungen über specielle und medicinisch-pharmaceutische Botanik, 2nd ed. 1880, 3rd ed. 1883, 4th ed. 1886, 5th 1890
 * Outline: p. 1
 * Outline: p. 1
 * Outline: p. 1
 * Outline: p. 1

Other

 * in volume 2(2).