Techniques for Taxonomical and Pharmacognostical Identification of plants and Herbaria Preparations

SP Jain
Department of Botany and Pharmacognosy Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Lucknow

It is not possible to any one to study all plants individually, hence plants are grouped into classes, subclass and families. There are three main types of classification s these are:

Plant Classification
Taxa Taxonomic characters Use of habit and importance to man as characters Use of as many characters as possible to group taxa

Use of as many characters as possible plus phylogenetic evolutionary interpretation

Artificial Classification

Natural Classification

Phylogenetic Classification

1. 2. 3.

Artifical Natural Phylogenetic .

1. Artificial: This system classified plants by means of one or a few important characters, which may help in the identification viz. Linnaeus, (1707-1778). Linnaeus proposed bisexual system of classification in Genera Plantarum This was based upon the numerical relationship on floral parts (viz. stamens, calyx). He used only one attribute, i.e. no. of stamens and grouped plants into 24 classes.

For example: Phanerograms (1) Monadria stamen One (2) Diandaria stamen s Two (3) Icosandria 19 stamens (24) Cryptomeria (Flower Conceled)

2. Natural:

All important characters are taken into account and the plants are classified according to their related characters.The important classification of the natural system is of Bentham and Hooker (1830-1911). Comprehensive system of classification given by them in their Genera Plantarum. The plants were arranged in such a way so as to facilitate their determination. Plant divided into 200 orders or families.

Bentham & Hooker Classification

Dicot
Polypetalae

Gymnosperm
Gnetaceae Conifereae

Monocot divided into 6 series

Gamopetalae

Cycadaceae

Monochlamydeae

1. Coronariceae

2. Glumaceae (Poaceae)

3. Microspermeae

4. Apocarpeae

5. Epigyneae

6.Nudifloreae

Bentham and Hooker system

Dicotyledones - Polypetalae (Petals free) Ser. Thalmiflorae -Ranales (Ranunculaceae ) Ser. Disciflorae- (Hypogynous disc) Geraniales-Rutaceae Series Calyciflorae- (Floral cup )Rosales Rosaceae

Gampetalae (Petals fused)

Series.Inferae (Overy inferior)Rubiales-Rubiaceae Series Asterales - Asteraceae Series Heteromerae (Carpels two) Order Primulales plumbaginaceae Order Ebenales Sapotaceae Series Bicarpellate (Carpels 2 ,rarely 1 or 3 ) Order Gentianales Apocynaceae Personales Scrophulariacea Lamiales Lamiaceae Monochylamydeae (Apetalous ) Curvembryeae Order Nyctaginae Series Multiovulatae, Micrembyeae, Unisexuales etc.

Merits
 It is classification of only the seed plants  Proposed after Darwins theory  Families starting from Ranunculaceae and end Poaceae .  Monocotyledons were described after the dicotyledons.  The dicotyledons were divided into Polypetalae, Gamopetalae and Monochlamydeae.  Gymnosperms were considered as a third taxon of seed plants and placed between the dicots and Monocots.

Demerits
 Gymnosperms treated as a third group collateral and placed between dicots &monocots  Petaliferous flowers supposed to be primitive and ended in monochalmydeae with flowers having only perianth or perianth absent which were thought to be highly evolved.  They do not mention anything about the origin of the angiosperms.

Phylogenetic Classification:
This type of system classified plant according to their evolutionary and genetic relationships.A few important ones in this direction are those of Engler & Prantl (1887-1915); Takhtajan, Conqruist, Hutchinson. These classifications were founded on detailed studies on distribution, ecology, anatomy, palynology, and cytology and to some extend biochemistry, and this process is an unending trend, which is still continuing . Hutchinsons system is a phylogenetic one. It is based on the concept that plants with sepals and petals, associated with other floral and anatomical characters, considered as also primitive, are more ancient phylogenetically than plants without sepals and petals.

It is based on the concept that plants with sepals and petals, associated with other floral and anatomical characters, considered as also primitive, are more ancient phylogenetically than plants without sepals and petals. Hutchinson has given 22 principles for the classification of flowering plants. These principles are :
 Evolution is both upwards and downwards, the former tending towards preservation .. and the latter to their reduction and suppression ..  Broadly speaking, trees and shrubs are more primitive than herbs in any one family or genus.  Trees and shrubs are older than climbers in any one family or genus.  Aquatic flowering plants are derived from terrestrial ancestors, and epiphytes, saprophytes, and parasites are more recent than plants of normal habit  Unisexual flowers are more advances than bisexual; dioecious plants are more recent than monoecious.  Apocarpy is more primitive than syncrapy.  A gynoecium of many pistils preceded one of few pistils.  Aggregate fruits are more highly evolved than single fruits.

After Hutchinson-1969
Primitive Tropical habitat Perennial habit Leaves simple Flowers with petals Stamens many Carpels many Fruits single Advanced Temperate habitat Herbaceous or climbing plants Leaves compound Flowers apetalous Stamens few Carpels few Fruits aggregate

ANGIOSPERMS (Magnoliophyta)

Classes Magnoliopsida (Dicots)

Liliopsida (Monocots)

Subclasses Magnoliidae (8 orders) Ranuncluaceae Caryophyllaceae Dilleniaceae Rosidae Asteridae

Subclasses Alismatidae, Liliiceae Commelinidae

Engler and Prantal System of Classification

Published their work in 23 Volumes. They considered apetalous characters of the plants are primitive. They also belived that angiosperms have had originated from unknown polyphylitic Gymnosperms taxon which become extinct. It has been widely used in Europe &America and many Herbaria are arranged accordingly.

Takhtajan (1980) developed a preliminary phylogenetic diagram of the orders of higher plants. It is based on phylogentic principles traced the evolution of angiosperms and proposed a new system. He considered the order Magnoliales, as the most primitive and archaic group, which gave rise to all other branches of angiosperms. Amentiferous families were regarded as advance. He recognished 97 orders and 418 families among

Magnoliophyta (Dicot) Angiosperms Liliopsida (Monocot)

Cronquist System of Classification

Cronquist (1957 -1968) presented a system and classified the angiosperm into two main classes Magnoliatae and Liliatae respectively. (Evolution and Classification of Flowering plant. These classes have been further divided into ten subclasses, 6 of the Magnolidae and 4 of the Lilidae. He recognized 84 orders and 385 families.

Comparison of Systems of Classification by Benthum and Hooker, Engler and Prantntl and Hutchinson
No. 1. 2. Bentham &Hooker Published in three Volumes Based on de Candolles System but greater stress given on free and fused petals Engler &Prantl Appeared in 23 Volumes Based on Eichlers System With minor differences in details on assumption that in flowering plants absence of perianth is pripitive characters A more or less phylogentic Hutchinson Appeared in 2 Volumes More closely related with that of Bentham &Hooker and Engler&Prantl

3.

System not phylogentic, but very useful for practical purposes Seeds plants divided into Dicots, Monocots,Gymnosperms and monochlamydeae

A more perfact phylogentic

4.

Seeds plants divided into Dicots, Monocots, Gymnospermae

Seeds plants divided into two phyla, Gymnospermae and Angiospermae,later divided into 2 subphyla, Dicots and Monocots Dicots further dicvided into Lignosae and Herbaceae

5.

Only 202 familes are 280 familes recognized By recognized by Bentham Engler &Prantl &Hooker Defects with this system is the retention of in Monochlamydea e whichshows affinities with biseriate perianth. .

are Hutchinson recognize 411 families

6.

Defects with this Hutchinson s principle that system is the Dicots are evolved in Amentiferae are two directions one regarded most from herbaceous primitive .and Ranles and other from precedesuch Woody Magnoliales petaliferous families has not been adopted as Ranunculaceae by and Magnoliaceae many..Monophyletic origin from seed plants

HERBARIUM TECHNIQUES Procedure for Collection of Voucher Specimens

A Size of the plant should not exceed more than 40 cm long in case of woody /or other plants. Collect plant specimens in vasculum /polythene bags & press as soon as possible. Plant specimens should be in flowering /fruiting or both. Collected plant specimens should be disease free Collect at least 4-5 plant specimens Plant specimens should be with underground parts(In case of small herb). Press the plant specimens in the field it self.

Field notes should be entered in the Field note book during collection of plant specimens / plant material

Collectors name should be written in the field note book. Field Notebook :It is used for recording the field data at the time of collection of plant specimens. The following data may be recorded in the field Note Book.
Field numbers of specimens Date of Collection Locality from where the plant specimens collected

Botanical name /Family name or tentative name (if known) The field number should be tagged with plant specimens. Habitat Colour of the flowers Status of the plant (Viz. Common ,rare or endangered) Vernacular name of the plant ( if any of the plant) Folklore uses of plant if any may be noted.

PROCESSING OF PLANT SPECIMENS

I. DRYING OF THE PLANT SPECIMENS Carefully displaced or processing sheets. Large specimens should be moulded into V,N or W shape. The blotting sheets along with the specimens are placed one over the other & then tightly bound in a plant press.

The press is opened after 24 hours, specimens rearranged, placed between the fresh dry blotters and then again tightly bound in a plant press. The specimens are changed to dry blotters daily for 4 days and then after 4-7 days depending upon the season . Whole plant specimens should be dipped in the mercuric chloride solution 0.5 % in ethanol for 1-2 minute. to avoid damage by fungus or insects.

II. MOUNTING OF SPECIMENS The processed specimens mounted on separate herbarium sheets of standard size (28 x 40 cm ) by using adhesive and stretched with thread to avoid its separation from the sheet. In order to seek proper documentation a standard form should be filled for each collection, giving the details of herbarium labels:

Herbarium sheet for filling the data

1. Botanical name of the plant 2. Name of family 3. Vernacular name 4. Place of collection 5. Date of collection 6. Collectors name 7. Remarks etc

FUMIGATION
For long time storage of plant specimens in the herbarium it is essential that all the plant specimens should be re-poisoned or fumigated. Fumigation is done by Carbon tetra chloride or methyl bromide, or carbon disulphide for killing the pests in the mounted plant specimens. Mounted, identified plants specimens are accessioned in the accessioned register and is provided with an accession number. It is then incorporated in the Herbarium.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION
I. Study the characters of the plant ,check them with the flora of the region (locality of collection ),compare the characters with family,genus and species keys and also compare with plant description and illustrations and photographs. Another method of identification is to guess fairly correctly up to the genus and even to species and then it may be checked with identified herbarium specimens of that species

II.

III. If the plant is not fit in the key or match in the herbarium then it may be compare it with adjacent flora in large herbaria.

Functions of Herbarium
Aids in teaching and in all biological researches As a store house of plants and type specimens It helps in identification of all plant . It serve as a source for collection of Biodiversity study . Aids in assessment of conservation status of Taxons. Serve as a source for search of new genetic materials . Helps in Computer data bases on plants Serves as a source of material for investigation on anatomy, morphology, ecology, chemistry, Pharmacognosy and molecular biology

Important Indian Herbaria

Indian herbaria are arranged according to the Bentham & Hooker System of Classification because it has practical utility.
Herbarium Place No.of sheets Year of founding Abbreviation

Central National Herbarium Forest Research Institute Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle Botanical survey of India, Eastern circle

Calcutta Dehradun

2,500,000 1793 300,000 1816 1874

CAL DD MH

Coimbature 200,000

Shillong

100,000

1956

ASSAM

Blatter Herbarium,St.Xavier s College B.S.I, Western circle, Botanical Survey of India, Northern circle B.S.I, Central Circle Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants National Botanical Research Institute

Bombay

100,000

1906

BLAT

Pune 125,000 Dehra Dun 90,000

1956 1956

BSI BSD

Allahabad 50,000 Lucknow 5000

1956 1978

BSA CIMAP

Lucknow

100,000

1948

NBG

Some Important Herbaria of the World

Herbarium Royal Botanic Garden, Kew NewYork Botnic Garden National herbarium Gray Herbarium, Harward University Royal Botanical Garden Place London, U.K New York, USA Melbourne, Australia No.of sheets Year of founding Abbreviation K NY MEL GH

6,500,000 1853 3,000000 1891

1,500,000 1857 1807

Cambridge, USA 1,485, 000 Edeinburgh. U.K 2,500000

1761

Plant Descriptions
For the sake of informality and clarity, botanical descriptions of plant species are written in systematic manner. For describing various plant parts certain technical terms are universally accepted and are used to avoid lengthy descriptions. The frequently useful terms are given below. 1. Plant: Tree, shrub, herb; evergreen,deciduous; annual, biennial, perennial; erect, prostrate, straggling, twining 2. Underground parts: Roots, tubers, bulbs, rootstocks 3. Stem: round, terete, compressed, angular, glabrous, hairy, fistular, solid, color, latex bearing or not, bark smooth, rough, peeling or not 4. Leaves: Simple, compound, paripinnate, imparipinnate, number of leaflets, number of pairs, glabrous, tomentose, woolly, hirsute, opposite, alternate, whorled, size, shape( of leaf).

5. Modification of vegetative parts: tendrils, thorns, spines 6. Inflorescence: Racemose, cymose, special; terminal axillary, erect or drooping; spike, umbel, panicle, fascicle . 7. Flower: Actinomorphic, zygomorphic; unisexual, bisexual, monoecious, dioecious, polygamous 8. Calyx and epicalyx ; stamens and staminodes, filaments; pistil or pistillode (inferior or half inferior, superior), placentation ( axile, parietal), style, stigma type. 9. Fruit type ( drupe, berry, legume etc ) shape, size; seeds types.

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