Download Classification and nomenclature of flower and ornamental plants

Classification and nomenclature of flower and ornamental plants
Compiled by: Md. Dulal Sarkar
Assist. Prof., Department of Horticulture
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
Classification
Classification is the systematic grouping of plants based upon similarities and differences in
their physical or genetic characteristics to kingdom, division, class, order, family, genus and
species.
Outlines of classification according to Bentham & Hooker system
Plant Kingdom
Sub-kingdom
2. Phanerogamae
1. Cryptogamae
Non-flowering & non seed bearing plant
Flowering & seed bearing plant
Division
1. Thallophyta
2. Bryophyta
Plant body not differentiated into
root, stem & leaf
e.g. Algae, fungi, lichens
Plant body differentiated into
stem & leaf, Lack of true root
e.g. Mosses, liverworts
3. Pteriodophyta
Plant body differentiated into
root, stem & leaf
e.g. Ferns
Division
1. Gymnospermae
2. Angiospermae
Naked seeded plant
e.g. Cycas, pinus
Seeds in a fruit
Class
1. Dicotyledonous
Two cotyledons
Floral parts often in 4s or 5s
Leaves often reticulate veined
Tap root present
2. Monocotyledonous
One cotyledon
Floral parts usually sets of 3
Leaves often parallel veined
Fibrous root present
Sub-class
1. Polypetalae
Having many distinct or separate petals
e.g. Rose, camellia, magnolia
2. Gamopetalae
Having petals those are fused along
the margins to form a tube.
e.g. Morning glory, oleander
3. Monochlamydeae
Petal absent
e.g. Jackfruit
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Nomenclature
Nomenclature is the formal naming of taxa according to the rules of International Code of
Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).
Rules for writing: A two word scientific name; developed by Carolus Linnaeus.
 According to binomial system name of any species consists of two names
Genus: First letter is always capitalized and the name is underlined or italicized.
Species: First letter is generally NOT capitalized; the name is underlined or italicized.
e,g. Cornus florida or Cornus florida
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In plant nomenclature, tautonyms are not valid i.e. generic name and specific name
should not be same in plants. e.g. Mangifera mangifera
Cultivar: A cultivar name is capitalized and placed within single quotes.
e,g. Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief’
Variety: A variety name is preceded by var. and is underlined or italicized.
e,g. Rudbeckia fulgida var.compacta
Intergeneric cross: A cross between two genera of plants.
e,g. x Fatshedera lizei
Interspecific hybrids or interspecific cross: Two plants in the same genus with
different species:
e,g. Abelia x grandiflora
Example: Nomenclature of purple coneflower
Kingdom  Plantae
Division  Phanerogamae
Class  Angiosperm
Subclass  Dicotyledonae
Order  Asterales
Family  Asteraceae
Genus  Echinacea
Species  purpurea
Conventional classification of flowers and ornamental plants
A.1. Classification according to growth habit
A.1.1. Herb
Herbs or herbaceous plants are those which have succulent leaves and stem. Herbaceous
plants may be annuals, biennials or perennials.
A.1.1.1. Bushy herb: Periwinkle, marigold etc.
A.1.1.2. Non-bushy herb
A.1.1.2.1. Vine type
Creeper: Ipomoea, oxalis, dracaena, tecoma grandiflora, pistia,
salvinia, chrysanthemum etc.
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Climber: Cuscuta, clitoria, passiflora, gloriosa, money plant etc.
A.1.1.2.2. Non-vine types: Lilies
A.1.2. Shrub
Shrub is a small to medium sized bushy plants with several hard and woody stems. It is
distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually less than 6 m
tall. They branch profusely from the base of the stem to present a bushy appearance,
without having a clear trunk.
A.1.2.1. Flowering shrub: They are grown for flowers. e.g. Rose, jasmines,
oleanders, camellia etc.
A.1.2.2. Foliage shrub: They are grown for their beautiful leaves. e.g. Croton,
acalypha, aralia etc.
A.1.2.3. Hedge: These are special type of shrubs planted in border, usually very
closely for protection of garden. e.g. Duranta, streblus, justicia, sesbania etc.
A.1.3. Tree
Tree is a perennial, tall plant with clear trunk, supporting branches and leaves.
A.1.3.1. Monocot: Palms
A.1.3.2. Dicot
A.1.3.2.1. Flowering trees: The trees which are known for their beautiful
flowers and are suitable for garden are called flowering trees. e.g.
Magnolia, bauhinia, kadam, ashoka, peacock, Indian medlar etc.
A.1.3.2.2. Foliage trees: The trees which are well known and attractive for
their charming leaves and branches. Here the flower is of secondary
importance. e.g. Ficus, albizzia, pinus, eucalyptus etc.
A.1.4. Aquatic ornamental plants
Aquatic plants are those plants adapted to living in aquatic environments. They are also
referred as hydrophytes or macrophytes. Aquatic plants can only grow in water or
in soil that is permanently saturated with water.
A.1.1. Floating plants: Water lettuce, water chestnut etc.
A.1.2. Rooted floating: Water lily, red lily, blue lily, lotus, royal water lily etc.
A.1.3. Bog plants: Sweet flag, alocasia etc.
A.2. Classification according to conventional method
A.2.1. Seasonal flowers
The flowering plants which complete their life cycle within one growing season are called
seasonal flower. They are of three groups:
A.2.1.1. Winter seasonal flower: They complete their life cycle within winter
season. e.g. Aster, cosmos, dianthus etc.
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A.2.1.2. Summer seasonal flower: They complete their life cycle within summer
season. e.g. Balsam, cock’s comb, zinnia, petunia etc.
A.2.1.3. Year round flower: They can be grown during both in winter and summer
season. e.g. African daisy, butterfly pea, arctotis, coreopsis etc.
A.2.2. Bulbous plants
The ornamental and flowering plants, which are usually propagated by underground
modified structures like bulb, corm, rhizome, tuberous root etc. are called bulbous plants.
The main features of them are long narrow leaf, lack of aerial stem, development of long
peduncle from the base of the plant etc.
Example: Tuberose, gladiolus, caladium, asparagus, zinger lily, dahlia etc.
A.2.3. Shrub
Look up A.1.2.
A.2.4. Tree
Look up A.1.3.
A.2.5. Palms
The plants under the family palmaceae are called palms. They have long stem without
branching, having a bunch of leaves at the top. They are of three groups:
A.2.5.1. Tall palms: Royal palm, oil palm, areca palm, coconut palm etc.
A.2.5.2. Medium sized palms: Wild areca, cane palm etc.
A.2.5.3. Pot palm: Butterfly palm, lady palm etc.
A.2.6. Climbers
A group of plants with weak stems and climb up the support with the help of modified
organs.
Example: Cuscuta, clitoria, passiflora, gloriosa, bougainvillia, lonicera, hiptage etc.
A.2.7. Conifers
The word comes from Latin word conus meaning cone and ferre meaning to bear, that
means, one that bear a cone. An evergreen gymnosperm belonging to the order
coniferales bearing cones and generally needle shaped or scale like leaves.
Example:Thuja, aurocaria, pinus, tamarisk etc.
A.2.8. Aquatic ornamental plants
Look up A.1.4.
A.2.9. Cactus
The word comes from Greek word ‘kaktos’ first used by Theophrastus for spiny plant. The
plants with succulent stem and leaf under the family cactaceae are called cactus.
Example: Prickly pear, star cactus, orchid cactus, rose cactus etc.
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A.2.10. Orchid
The plants under the family orchidaceae are called orchid. They grow well in humid and
partial shady place but not in stagnant water. They exhibit a wide range of diversity in form,
size, colour and texture of flowers beyond the imagination of human mind.
Example: Dendrobium, vanda, cattleya etc.
A.2.11. Fern
The cryptogams plant under the family polipodiceae are generally termed as fern. Tropical
humid mountains are the natural house of fern. They need high temperature, humid and
shady place.
Example: Adiantum, polypodium, lygodium, pteris, osmunda etc.
A.2.12. Succulents
Succulent plants also known as fat plants, having some parts that are thickened and
fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word "succulent"
comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning juice, or sap. Succulent plants may store water
in various structures, such as leaves and stems.
Example: Agave, opuntia, euphorbia, portulaca, sansevieria etc.
Miscellaneous
1. Cycads
Cycads are group of plants have a stout and woody trunk with a crown of large, hard, stiff and
compound evergreen leaves. Cycads are resembled to palms in overall appearance. They
possess a pachycauls. The word is derived from the Greek pachy meaning thick or stout,
and Latin caulis meaning the stem.
Example: Cycas, macrozamia, zamia etc.
2. Traveller’s tree
Ravenala madagascariensis, commonly known as traveller's tree or traveller's palm. The
word Ravenala comes from Malagasy word ravinala meaning "forest leaves". It is not a true
palm. It is called "traveller's palm" because the sheaths of the stems hold rainwater, which
supposedly could be used as an emergency drinking supply for needy travelers. Another
plausible reason for its name is that, the fan tends to grow on an east-west line, providing a
crude compass. The enormous paddle-shaped leaves are borne on long petioles. The large
white flowers are structurally similar to the bird-of-paradise flowers but are generally considered
less attractive with a green bract.
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