Systematics of Ornamental Crops

The book serves as a much-needed academic resource designed to bridge the gap between voluminous botanical references and the practical needs of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Focused specifically on ornamental plant systematics, this book offers a simplified yet comprehensive overview of key taxonomic principles, with particular relevance to the Indian flora.

The text is structured into 55 independent chapters, allowing flexibility in teaching and learning. Early chapters explore the historical foundations of taxonomy, methods of plant collection, classification systems, and the rules of botanical nomenclature. Specialized chapters introduce students to emerging fields like chemotaxonomy, palynotaxonomy, and serotaxonomy. Midway through the book, detailed discussions cover herbarium techniques, botanical libraries, biodiversity conservation tools like the Red Data Book, and the role of botanical gardens.

Central to the text is the in-depth treatment of 33 prominent angiosperm families found in India, with chapters 20 through 54 dedicated to family-wise floral formulae, diagnostic characters, and systematic placement. This hands-on approach equips students with the necessary tools to identify, describe, and classify ornamental plants based on floral structures and taxonomic markers.

The book is also a valuable reference for teachers, horticulturists, and plant science professionals. Written in accessible language without compromising on academic rigor, the book balances clarity with depthmaking complex concepts easy to understand while preserving scientific accuracy.