[pbs] Taxonomy help
John Grimshaw
j.grimshaw at virgin.net
Tue Nov 7 00:46:26 EST 2006
The recommendations of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/ are the international standard
for plant families and subfamilies, and should be followed. They are based
on a very detailed survey of all aspects of the plants, chemical, DNA,
morphology etc, and should not be disregarded because some of their findings
'seem peculiar'.
Above all, in the world of the monocots, it is essential to throw out the
old concepts (most especially the once vast Liliaceae) and adopt the idea of
smaller families with their own particular sets of characteristics, within
larger lineages, especially the Asparagales and Liliales. The APG website is
very comprehensive and gives clear cladograms showing relationships between
families. A list of genera found in each family is given. Do not expect an
easy read from the site! But use its recommendations!
John Grimshaw
Dr John M. Grimshaw
Sycamore Cottage
Colesbourne
Nr Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP
Tel. 01242 870567
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