Plant Classification 101

All living organisms in the ecosystem are classified into kingdoms and sub-kingdoms based on their characteristics. Similarly, plants are also classified into different sub-kingdoms based on certain characteristic features.

The general classification of plants is made on certain criteria such as:

• Botanical type
• Geographical or ecological communities

Importance of Plant Classification

The main purpose of classifying plants is to ensure that the right plants are correctly named, grouped and identified.

Plants are classified based on these 3 characteristics:

1. The evergreen plants are plants that retain leaves at all times (all year round).
2. Woody plants can also be grouped as deciduous or evergreen.
3. Deciduous plants are seasonal plants which shed its leaves at the end of the growing season, either during the winter season in the temperate climate or during the dry season in the tropical climate.

Classification based on Life Cycle

Plant species can be classified based on their life cycle.

Annuals

These are plants that complete their life cycle during a single season. They are normally herbaceous. Examples like corn, rice, wheat, and pulses are annuals plant.

Biennials

These are plants that require two years to complete their life cycle. They are normally herbaceous. For example, carrot, cabbage, onions, and beetroot are biennials plant.

Perennials

These are plants that have a long lifespan – typically more than two years. They are characteristically woody or herbaceous. Rose, lavender, dianthus, and lilies are prominent examples of perennials.

Taxonomic Classification Of Plants

Taxonomy is a system for classifying plants based on their genetic and evolutionary relationship. Plant Taxonomy is a branch of science that continues to change as new species are being found almost every day.

Plants are classified into a separate kingdom called the Kingdom Plantae. This current system of classification of plants is based on the evolutionary relationship amid other plants.

Coniferophyta (Gymnosperms)

It is a group of plants which is primarily evergreen and are native to the temperate zone. There are about 700 species discovered to date. They are vascular, non-flowering plants which produce seeds without the production of flower and fruits. Some common examples of gymnosperm include pines, cycads, cedars, etc.

Anthophyta (Angiosperms)

They can grow into big trees as well as small shrubs, bushes and herbs. The angiosperms are distributed all over the world (>250,000 species). Most of the plants that we see around us are grouped under this division.

Angiosperms are characterized by the seeds that are fully enclosed in fruits. They are subdivided into- Monocotyledonous and Dicotyledonous. Some common examples of angiosperms include mango trees, roses, jasmine, marry gold, etc.

Monocotyledons

Monocotyledonous plants are commonly referred to as monocot plants. They are flowering plants with seed containing one cotyledon. The venation pattern of their leaves is parallel-veined. Some common examples of monocot plants are rice, corn, sugarcane, tulips, onion, etc. There are around 50,000 species of monocotyledonous plants discovered to date.

Dicotyledons

Dicotyledonous plants are commonly referred to as dicot plants. They are flowering plants, mostly grown as herbs, shrubs, and trees with the seed containing two cotyledons. The venation pattern of their leaves radiates from a central main vein. Some common examples are figs, eucalyptus, potato, tomato, hibiscus, etc. There are around 200,000 species of dicotyledonous or dicots plants.

The flowering plants or the angiosperms are the most diversified group of plants. Most of the plants that you see around and that which dominate the plant population belong to this group. The angiosperms are further divided into monocotyledon and dicotyledon. To distinguish between monocots and dicots, we need to compare different structural traits of angiosperms, viz. roots, stems, leaves and flowers. But variations between monocots and dicots begin from the seed, which is the start of a plant’s life cycle. Cotyledon refers to the ‘first seed leaf’, present in the embryo. If it is a single seed leaf, then it is categorized as monocots and if it is a pair of leaves then it is categorized as dicots. This little distinction at the beginning of the plant’s life cycle causes each plant to generate big differences about which we will further discuss in the article. The distinguishing feature between monocotyledon and dicotyledon are given below in a tabular column.

Monocotyledon vs Dicotyledon

Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon. The monocotyledonous embryos have a single cotyledon. The dicotyledonous embryos have a pair of cotyledons. They have a fibrous root system. They have a tap root system. Leaves in monocots have parallel venation. Leaves in dicots have reticulate or net venation. In monocot flowers, the count of parts of the flower is a multiple of three or equal to three. The count of parts in a dicot flower is a multiple of four or five or equal to four or five. The roots and stems of monocotyledons do not possess a cambium and cannot increase in diameter. The roots and stems of dicotyledons possess a cambium and have the ability to increase in diameter. A few examples of monocotyledons are garlic, onions, wheat, corn and grass, etc. A few examples of dicots are beans, cauliflower, apples and pear, etc. The monocotyledonous embryos have a single cotyledon. The dicotyledonous embryos have a pair of cotyledons. They have a fibrous root system. They have a tap root system. Leaves in monocots have parallel venation. Leaves in dicots have reticulate or net venation. In monocot flowers, the count of parts of the flower is a multiple of three or equal to three. The count of parts in a dicot flower is a multiple of four or five or equal to four or five. The roots and stems of monocotyledons do not possess a cambium and cannot increase in diameter. The roots and stems of dicotyledons possess a cambium and have the ability to increase in diameter. A few examples of monocotyledons are garlic, onions, wheat, corn and grass, etc. A few examples of dicots are beans, cauliflower, apples and pear, etc. The monocotyledonous embryos have a single cotyledon. The dicotyledonous embryos have a pair of cotyledons. They have a fibrous root system. They have a tap root system. Leaves in monocots have parallel venation. Leaves in dicots have reticulate or net venation. In monocot flowers, the count of parts of the flower is a multiple of three or equal to three. The count of parts in a dicot flower is a multiple of four or five or equal to four or five. The roots and stems of monocotyledons do not possess a cambium and cannot increase in diameter. The roots and stems of dicotyledons possess a cambium and have the ability to increase in diameter. A few examples of monocotyledons are garlic, onions, wheat, corn and grass, etc. A few examples of dicots are beans, cauliflower, apples and pear, etc.

What are Angiosperms and Gymnosperms?

Angiosperms and gymnosperms are both seed-bearing plants with a few similarities. This is due to the fact that gymnosperms were present for at least 200 million years before the angiosperms evolved, and they may have shared a common ancestor.

The main difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms is their diversity. The diversity of angiosperms is greater than the gymnosperms. The higher diversity indicated the angiosperms adapted to a wide plethora of terrestrial ecosystems. Another characteristic of angiosperms is the flowers and production of fruits.

Read on to explore the difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms.

Difference between Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Angiosperms and Gymnosperms A seed is produced by flowering plants and is enclosed within an ovary. A seed is produced by non-flowering plants and is unenclosed or naked. The lifecycle of these plants is seasonal. These plants are evergreen. It has triploid tissue. It has haploid tissue. Leaves are flat in shape. Leaves are scalelike and needle-like in shape. Hardwood type Softwood type These types of plants rely on animals and wind for reproduction. These types of plants predominantly rely on wind for reproduction. The reproductive system is present in flowers (unisexual or bisexual). The reproductive system is present in cones and are unisexual.

Angiosperms

The word angiosperm is derived from Greek, which translates to a “container.” As the name suggests, angiosperms are vascular plants which bear seeds in fruits or mature ovaries. Angiosperm forms flower that carries reproductive organs and fruits. These plants are more adaptive to the terrestrial habitat and have a very wide distribution, around 250000 species have been identified to date.

Angiosperm Examples

Fruits trees, including mango, apple, banana, peach, cherry, Orange, and Pear, often show flowers before they bear fruits, and the pollination process is generally carried out by agents such as bees. Grains, including rice, corn, and wheat, are also examples of Angiosperm. In these plants, the pollination process is carried out by the wind. Other examples of Angiosperms include roses, lilies, Broccoli, kale, Petunias, Eggplant, Tomato, Peppers and sugarcanes.

Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are other types of plants that bear seeds directly on sporophylls without covering. As the name suggests, the gymnosperms are vascular plants of the Kingdom Plantae, which bear naked seeds. There are very fewer species of gymnosperms; a few examples of these plants are cypress, Gentium, pine, spruce, redwood, ginkgo, cycads, juniper, fir, and Welwitschia.

The main reason for being very fewer species is the lack of protection of seeds. The seeds are naked and unprotected when released. They need to get into the ground quickly to take root, or they will be damaged by animals, weather conditions or any other factors.

This topic is very intense, and it is needed if you are in the plant industry. However, as a home gardener understanding the basic terms will help you understand the plants you are working with.