Plant systematics in the next 50 years—re‐mapping the new frontier

Summary Sytsma, K. J. & Pires, J. C.: Plant systematics in the next 50 years—re‐mapping the new frontier. ‐ Taxon 50: 713–732. 2001. ‐ ISSN 0040‐0262. In the historical context of plant systematics over the last 50 years, systematics is examined in terms of where it is now, where it is headed, where it should be, and how it should get there. Issues and concerns of the past decades are still with us today. Molecular systematics has become the over‐arching field in systematics, but each of eight other areas (genome, chromosomes, morphology and anatomy, development, population biology, speciation, floristics and monography, nomenclature and classification) are evaluated. A revolution in systematics is not necessary for the next 50 years in plant systematics. What is needed is a re‐mapping of our discipline that involves four elements for the future growth and health of botanical systematics: plant systematics and its utility, dialogue with other disciplines, multi‐disciplinary training, and a pluralistic viewpoint.