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Plant taxonomy is a systematic study that deals with the identification, characterization, nomenclature, and arrangement of plants into certain categories in a hierarchical manner on the basis of similarities and dissimilarities that exist between them.  

Plant taxonomy is a systematic study that deals with the identification, characterization, nomenclature, and arrangement of plants into certain categories in a hierarchical manner on the basis of similarities and dissimilarities that exist between them.  

According to Britannica<ref>https://www.britannica.com/science/taxonomy/A-classification-of-living-organisms</ref> classification of living beings is based on a number of factors such animate or inanimate, mobile or immobile, single-cell or multicelled organisms, living on land or in water etc. In modern classification, living organisms are classified into five kingdoms namely, Monera (such as Bacteria), Protista (such as Algae, Protozoans), Fungi (Fungi), Plantae (Plants, Mosses, Ferns, Flowering plants) and Animalia (including animals of many kinds). Among these the branch of biology that deals with the study of plants including their structure, properties and biochemical processes is called Botany.

According to Britannica<ref>https://www.britannica.com/science/taxonomy/A-classification-of-living-organisms</ref> classification of living beings is based on a number of factors such animate or inanimate, mobile or immobile, single-cell or multi-celled organisms, living on land or in water etc. In modern classification, living organisms are classified into five kingdoms namely, Monera (such as Bacteria), Protista (such as Algae, Protozoans), Fungi (Fungi), Plantae (Plants, Mosses, Ferns, Flowering plants) and Animalia (including animals of many kinds). The branch of biology that deals with the study of plants including their structure, properties and biochemical processes is called Botany in modern times.

 

However, ancient Indian seers intimately involved with nature and the division of life-sciences, specifically with regard to plants, was related mostly to agriculture for the production of food grains, forests and environmental conservation for protecting soil, water and air and Ayurveda for health.

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

In Indian Knowledge Systems, though no single work devoted to botany is known, the knowledge of botany among Indians is well known from Vedas, works on Ayurveda, Krishishastra, Arthashastra and the lexicons. Terms like Vrkshayurveda and Vanaspati vidya tell us that knowledge of botany flourished in the past and its principles and findings were the foundations to applied sciences such as [[Sasya Veda (सस्यवेदः)|agriculture]], and [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|ayurveda]].  There are many legends which indicate that ancient Indians had several beliefs associated with trees. Plant life were thought sacred and worshipped. For instance, Gobhilagrihyasutra mentions that  Asvattha brings danger of fire to one’s residence and that Udumbara leads to a series of optical diseases. Brihatsamhita speaks of trees like the Asoka and Punnaga which are beneficial to warfare.

In the ancient Indian texts, the nomenclature of the plants was generally based on the plant  characteristics, their botanical character and therapeutic properties. In Rajanighantu, much importance has been given for nomenclature of plants for which seven factors have been described. In Europe botanical nomenclature has a long history from Theophrastus (c. 370-287 BC), Dioscorides (c. 40-90 AD) to Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD).<ref>Acharya, B., Mishra, R. K., Srivastava, A., Joshi, B., Marde, R., & Prajapati, U. B. (2019). Ancient Indian rishi’s (Sages) knowledge of botany and medicinal plants since Vedic period was much older than the period of Theophrastus, A case study- who was the actual father of botany? ''International Journal of Unani and Integrative Medicine'', ''3''(3), 40–44.</ref>

 

The branch of taxonomy includes nomenclature and suitable grouping of the plants based on some features. In general, plants were named with a scientific approach. Since Vedic time ancient people had reverence and close relationship with the plant kingdom. The usefulness of various plants has been enumerated in Atharva veda, Puranas, Itihasas and texts like Charaka samhita, and Sushruta samhita. People had knowledge of processing of almost every part of the plant namely, roots, barks, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds.  

The branch of taxonomy includes nomenclature and suitable grouping of the plants based on some features. In general, plants were named with a scientific approach. Since Vedic times ancient people had reverence and close relationship with the plant kingdom. The usefulness of various plants has been enumerated in Atharvaveda, Puranas, Itihasas and texts like Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita. People had knowledge of processing of almost every part of the plant namely, roots, barks, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds.

Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":0">https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?search=%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7</ref> mentions the root word for वृक्षः (Vrksha) is व्रश्च used in the sense of छेदने, to cut. Amarakosha<ref name=":0" /> gives a few synonyms of trees depicting their characteristics. <blockquote>वृक्षो महीरुहः शाखी विटपी पादपस्तरुः । अनोकहः कुटः शालः पलाशी द्रुद्रुमागमाः ॥ vṛkṣo mahīruhaḥ śākhī viṭapī pādapastaruḥ | anokahaḥ kuṭaḥ śālaḥ palāśī drudrumāgamāḥ || (Amara. 2.4.5)</blockquote>

* शाखिन् (शाखाऽस्त्यस्य।) - that which is branching, ramifying

* तरु (तरति समुद्रादिकमनेनेति as per Shabdakalpadhruma)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81</ref> that by which people overcome heat

* कुटः (कौटिल्ये as per Vachaspatyam)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9F</ref> that which is crooked

* शालः (वृक्षभेदे) a kind of a very tall and stately tree

* पलाशी (पलाशं विद्यतेऽस्य)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D</ref> which has leaves

Similar scientific basis was adopted in naming the different varieties of plants based on various factors as provided in the following table.

'''Nomenclature of plants'''

== Nomenclature of plants ==

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|'''Sl.No.'''

|'''Sl.No.'''

pu:pvgR ,%iÑÖgR , ka{fvgR , tElvgR , #]uvgR  

pu:pvgR ,%iÑÖgR , ka{fvgR , tElvgR , #]uvgR  

'''Modern Taxonomy'''

== Modern Taxonomy ==

 

Science of the modern times defines Taxonomy as the branch of science that deals with the description, naming and classification of organisms. The term is derived from the ancient Greek words ''taxis'' (arrangement) and ''nomia'' (method). Taxonomist aims to group together living forms which have common associates. This science is hierarchical. à various Divisions à Classes à Orders à Families à Genera àSpecies. Thus, species is the basic unit of classification. There were various systems of classifications proposed by the westerners based on :

Science of the modern times defines Taxonomy as the branch of science that deals with the description, naming and classification of organisms. The term is derived from the ancient Greek words ''taxis'' (arrangement) and ''nomia'' (method). Taxonomist aims to group together living forms which have common associates. This science is hierarchical. à various Divisions à Classes à Orders à Families à Genera àSpecies.Thus, species is the basic unit of classification. There were various systems of classifications proposed by the westerners based on :

1.      Habits

1.      Habits

वनस्पति  द्रुम   लता  गुल्म

वनस्पति  द्रुम   लता  गुल्म