| Abstract: | The present paper is divided into three parts: 1. The first part is devoted to the review of the historical origin of the modernclassification systems of the flowering plants. Early systems of classification since theAristotelian time provided a basis for the modern schemes of classification. This paperhas reviewed briefly the history of plant systematics, which is divided intothree periods: the period of mechanical systems of classification, of natural systems ofclassification, and of phylogenetic systems of classification. The historical developmentof the plant systems and the basic idea for three periods is discussed respectively. Thispaper also considers that the studies of the modern classification system have been entering a new period which primarily aims at overall evolutionary respects. 2. Comparison of the modern classification systems of the flowering plants. Fourmain modern systems (i. e. A. Cronquist 1979, A. Takhtajan 1980, J. Hutchinson 1973and A. Engler,s system as revised by H. Melchior in Engler,s Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien 1964) which have greatly influenced the systemstics of plants are compared asto their systematical principles, basic concepts and systematic positions of higher taxa(orders and families) of the flowering plants. The paper is of the opinion that thereis still much important work to be done in every field. 3. A review for the modern classification systems of the flowering plants. Thepaper reviews the modern classification of angiosperms from six aspects: a). Theflowers plants are originated from a common ancestral stock; b). The flowers ofangiosperms are homogeneous, stamen and carpel are phylletic sporangiophores,all flowers of angiosperms are comparable; c). Monocotyledons are originatedfrom primitive dicotyledons, and represent phylogenetically monophyletic branch; d).The idea advocating the subdivision of Dicotyledoneae into Lignosae and Herbaceaeshould be rejected as pointed out by many authors; e). The systematical position ofHamamelidae is still a crucial subject for further research; f). The evolutional trendsand evaluation of taxonomic characters must be considered in connection with the cor-relation to other characters in question. |
