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Plant taxonomy is the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants. Thus making it one of the main branches of taxonomy (the science that finds, describes, classifies, and names living things).

Plant taxonomy is closely allied to plant systematics, and there is no sharp boundary between the two. In practice, "Plant systematics" involves relationships between plants and their evolution, especially at the higher levels, whereas "plant taxonomy" deals with the actual handling of plant specimens. The precise relationship between taxonomy and systematics, however, has changed along with the goals and methods employed.

Plant taxonomy is well known for being turbulent, and traditionally not having any close agreement on circumscription and placement of taxa. See the list of systems of plant taxonomy. copied from [[article]

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) is credited for the first work done in the field of plant taxonomy. He is the first to use a system, named "Systema Naturae", for classification of plants. Over years, the specific guidelines for naming plants has changed, but still largely revolves around Linnaeus's initial system. The most modernly used plant classification system is the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system (APG). The APG system recognizes 462 families and 40 orders.

Taxonomic Hierarchy The taxonomic hierarchy, derived from Linnaeus, can be split into eight basic ranks: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Starting from broadest and narrowing down to particular species, this is how the plant world is kept organized.

Example: Rhododendron maximum

Domain: Eukaryote Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Ericaceae Genus: Rhododendron Species: Rhododendron maximum

Plant Taxonomy Uses The classification of plants results in an organized system. Plant classification systems can be used to identify evolutionary relationships among plants, track locations, and used for predicting future specimen. Through the transmission of plant information, a wired network of knowledge is created. Plant locations can be used to track down plants that serve nutritional or economical values. The documentation of plants possessing medicinal benefits is highly useful as well. Through identification, classification, and descriptions of plants, plant taxonomists add great value to our knowledge and understanding of the plant world. '''Plant taxonomy ''' involves the classification of plants, and origins date back to the 18th century.