TAXONOMIC LITERATURE

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 Taxonomic literature refers to all scientific sources of information which help in studying, identifying, naming, classifying, and describing plants. It plays a major role in plant taxonomy, biodiversity studies, conservation, herbarium work and ecological research.

Taxonomic literature is mainly of four types:

🔹 Flora
🔹 Monograph
🔹 Revision
🔹 Journals / Periodicals

1️⃣ FLORA

📌 Definition:

A flora is a systematic and comprehensive record of plant species present in a specific geographical area. It contains botanical descriptions, identification keys, habitat information, distribution, and flowering/fruiting periods.

📌 Characteristics of Flora:

  • Covers all plant species present in one region (district, state, country etc.)

  • Includes scientific names, local names & family

  • Provides keys for identification (dichotomous key)

  • Describes habit, habitat & distribution

  • Mostly arranged according to classification systems (Bentham & Hooker / Engler & Prantl)

  • Helps in environmental surveys and biodiversity documentation

📌 Information Included in Flora:

  1. Botanical name

  2. Author name

  3. Local/common name

  4. Family

  5. Description of plant

  6. Habitat and ecology

  7. Distribution (local, national, global)

  8. Flowering and fruiting period

  9. Uses (sometimes)


🎯 Uses of Flora:

  • Helps in plant identification

  • Useful for conservation & herbarium work

  • Helps in ecological surveys

  • Provides knowledge of local plant diversity

2️⃣ MONOGRAPH

📌 Definition:

A monograph is an exhaustive and detailed scientific study of a single plant genus, species, or family. It includes morphology, anatomy, ecology, taxonomy, distribution, genetics, ethnobotany and uses of that particular group.

📌 Characteristics:

  • Focuses on ONLY one taxon (one genus or family)

  • Contains complete and detailed research

  • Includes illustrations, photographs, diagrams, distribution maps

  • Often prepared after many years of study

  • Gives accurate classification and taxonomic keys


🎯 Uses of Monographs:

  • Essential for advanced taxonomy

  • Helps in plant breeding & phylogeny

  • Useful for DNA barcoding & molecular studies

  • Helps in identifying new species

3️⃣ REVISION

📌 Definition:

A revision is a critical re-examination of a previously studied group of plants, using new data, modern techniques and updated information. It helps to correct past errors, change names, remove synonyms and add new species.

📌 Characteristics:

  • Updates old classification

  • Corrects incorrect names

  • Based on recent research, molecular data & modern techniques

  • Published mainly in journals or books

  • May combine two species OR divide one species into more species


🎯 Uses of Revision:

  • Maintains scientific accuracy

  • Helps in modern classification

  • Removes taxonomic confusion

  • Provides updated names & details

4️⃣ JOURNALS / PERIODICALS / RESEARCH PAPERS

📌 Definition:

These are scientific magazines or publications that regularly publish research articles, revisions, new species reports, nomenclature updates, and monographs.

📌 Characteristics:

  • Published monthly, quarterly or annually

  • Includes latest botanical discoveries

  • Contains reviews, revisions, checklists & new species

  • Useful for research students, scientists & PhD studies

📘 Important Botanical Journals:

Journal NamePublished From
TaxonInternational
Kew BulletinUK
PhytotaxaInternational
Current ScienceIndia
Journal of Economic BotanyUSA
Indian Journal of Plant SciencesIndia
Nordic Journal of BotanyEurope

🎯 Uses:

  • Latest information on taxonomy

  • Helps researchers publish findings

  • Provides updated plant names

  • Helps in scientific advancement


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