CANDOLLEAN SYSTEM Meaning and
Definition
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The Candollean system refers to a botanical classification method developed by the renowned Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. De Candolle was one of the prominent figures in the field of plant taxonomy during the 19th century. His system aimed to categorize and organize plants based on their morphological characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The Candollean system primarily focuses on the study of plant families, where plants are grouped together based on their similar features such as structure, growth habits, and reproductive strategies. This method provides a hierarchical classification scheme, with families being the highest taxonomic rank. Each family is further divided into genera, which are then divided into species and subspecies.
One of the key features of the Candollean system is its reliance on the examination of flower structures. De Candolle emphasized that the reproductive organs of plants hold crucial information about their classification and patterns of evolution. Therefore, the system places significant importance on understanding flower morphology, as it helps in determining relationships between different plant groups.
The Candollean system had a significant impact on the development of plant taxonomy. It provided a comprehensive framework for organizing plants, allowing botanists to identify and describe new species more accurately. However, this system has been gradually replaced by more modern classification methods, such as the widely accepted Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, which incorporates molecular data and evolutionary relationships into plant classification.
Etymology of CANDOLLEAN SYSTEM
The term "Candollean system" refers to a classification system of plants developed by the French botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in the 19th century. The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
- Candollean: The term "Candollean" is derived from the name of the botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, who created and established the system. The adjectival form of a name is commonly used to describe systems, theories, or concepts named after individuals, such as the Darwinian theory of evolution or Newtonian physics.
- System: The word "system" comes from the Ancient Greek word "sustēma", which means "organized whole" or "arrangement". In this context, it refers to the classification system developed by de Candolle to categorize and organize plants based on their characteristics.
