PLANT SYSTEMATICS Plant systematics is fundamental for understanding and interpreting the living diversity of the world. In recent years, plant systematics has made rapid progress and has witnessed impressive advances in floristic inventorying, incorporation of new types of comparative data, quantitative concepts, methods of phylogeny reconstruction and classification. In order to disseminate this vast data, there is a need to make available the exciting new developments in the field of plant systematics to the undergraduate and post-graduate students. This book is designed to introduce the students with the fundamentals of systematics in a simple, concise and balanced manner. The book aims to equip the students with the basics of plant taxonomy and at the same time also update them with the most recent advances in the field of plant systematics. The book has been organized into 21 chapters that introduce and explain different concepts in a stimulating manner. The text is supplemented with relevant illustrations and photographs. Relevant literature has been added to provide a better picture of the most recent updates in the field of plant systematics. The language is simple and all the chapters are supplemented with a short summary. A glossary has been added to help the students to understand some important scientific terminology. The book will not only be helpful for the students but also for teachers in training students in a vast subject like taxonomy that requires a detailed understanding of nomenclature, identification, classification, phenetics, cladistics, molecular phylogeny and DNA barcoding. Dr. Arun Kumar Pandey, Former Professor of Botany and Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi, is presently Vice-Chancellor, Mansarovar Global University. He has over four decades of teaching and research experience in the field of plant systematics. Dr Pandey has published over 180 research papers, authored 10 books and guided 32 doctoral students. He is fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India and has received several awards and recognitions for his contributions in taxonomy, molecular systematics, ethnobotany and biology of reproduction. Dr. Shruti Kasana is presently associated with the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. She obtained her post-graduation and Ph.D. degree from University of Delhi and worked on the systematics of the genus Saussurea. She has published several research papers in journals of repute. She is recipient of Y.D. Tyagi medal of the Indian Botanical Society and member of several scientific societies.