The Role of Chemistry in Plant Systematics

Although the hybrid discipline of biochemical systematics has been a distinct field of study for only about ten years, it has had a telling impact on taxonomic practice. Nevertheless, the chemical approach, with its emphasis on the exact, tends to exlude much of the wealth of natural phenomena that are the backbone of taxonomy. It is necessary for the chemist and biochemist to acquire a better understanding of the nature of classification before undertaking surveys. More thought on infraspecific variation is also required, and the tentative nature of most phylogenetic proposals needs to be more widely appreciated. These problems are discussed in relation to recent studies involving different types of chemical compounds, including proteins, and suggestions are made for future priorities in chemotaxonomic research.