Question

The book ‘Genera Plantarum’ was written by
A. Bessy
B. Hutchinson
C. Engler and Prantl
D. Bentham and Hooker

Answer 1

Hint: This book contained the taxonomic system of classification, which was published in three volumes. It is the most well developed natural classification system.

Complete Answer:
Classification is the method of sorting something into suitable groups depending on certain easily identified characters. All living species can be categorised into various taxa, depending on their characteristics. This classification process is called taxonomy.

The system for classifying seeded plants was given by two English botanists, George Bentham and Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker. Their classification scheme was published in three volumes in 'Genera Plantarum' where an estimated 97,205 species of seeded plants were classified in 202 orders (now called family). 'Orders' is referred to as 'cohorts' and 'families' as 'orders' in Bentham and Hooker's plant classification.

The classification system by Bentham and Hooker is the most natural method which is based on direct or actual study of specimens. It contains the names and descriptions of all seed plant genera known to date classified accordingly. This system has its own merits and demerits. The system does not show any phylogenetic relationship. The main drawback is that the system does not provide any clue as to the evolutionary history of any genus, family or order nor does it give any idea of phylogenetic relationship between them.

Thus, the correct answer is option D. Bentham and Hooker.

Note: The classification scheme by Bentham and Hooker is still used and adopted in many world herbariums. It is a natural classification scheme, which is based on essential plant characters.