A Contribution of Spectrophotometric Methods to Medicinal Plant Taxonomy

Plant taxonomy is the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants. It is one of the main branches of taxonomy (the science that finds, describes, classifies, and names living things). Plant taxonomy is closely allied to plant systematics, and there is no sharp boundary between the two. In practice, “plant systematics” involves relationships between plants and their evolution, especially at the higher levels, whereas “plant taxonomy” deals with the actual handling of plant specimens. The precise relationship between taxonomy and systematics, however, has changed along with the goals and methods employed. Many different methods are used in plant taxonomy. Morphological, anatomical, karyological, palynological, chemo-taxonomical, and molecular methods are used especially in medicinal plant taxonomy today. Spectrophotometric methods have just begun to be used in medicinal plant taxonomy. It is one of the most practical methods that can be used to reveal the differences among species without wasting time and money.