Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy [Paperback]

A revised and fully updated edition encourages the reader to view existing classification systems objectively as it reflects upon the rapid advances that have occurred since the first edition's publication.A revised and fully updated edition encourages the reader to view existing classification systems objectively as it reflects upon the rapid advances that have occurred since the first edition's publication.Although one of the earliest of biological disciplines, plant taxonomy remains an important and relevant aspect of modern botany. A disproportionate emphasis on the practice of plant taxonomy has to some extent caused the science to be seen solely as the activity of plant identification. This book attempts to redress the balance by providing an introduction to the taxonomic theory upon which the identification procedure is based. The second edition has been completely revised and updated by the author and edited by Norman Robson to reflect the rapid advances which have occurred in plant taxonomy since publication of the first edition.Preface to the second edition; Editor's note to the second edition; Foreword to the first edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Introduction; 2. The evolution of theories of biological classification; conceptual development of pre-Darwinian taxonomy; 3. Problems in evolutionary taxonomy; 4. The historical development of classificatory systems; 5. Taxonomic structure; 6. Concepts of taxa; 7. The material basis of systematics; 8. Sources of taxonomic characters; 9. Plant nomenclature; 10. Epilogue; References; Index. Few books so short are so full without being crammed, or can manage to include so wide a spectrum of relevant delights... New Phytologist ...th esecond edition is an impressive document. For the topics covered, the author and editor have produced a slim but inclusive product. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club