Eichler system


A system of plant taxonomy, the Eichler system was the first phylogenetic or evolutionary system. It was developed by August W. Eichler, initially in his Blüthendiagramme and then in successive editions of his Syllabus. After his death his colleague Adolf Engler continued its development, and it became widely accepted.
The system was based on dividing the plant kingdom into those plants with concealed reproductive organs, the and those with visible reproductive organs, the. Moreover, Eichler was the first taxonomist to separate the Phanerogamae into Angiosperms and Gymnosperms and the former into Monocotyledonae and Dicotyledonae. His primary ranks were Divisions, followed by orders.

''Blüthendiagramme'' (1875–1878)

Volume I (1875)

Contents pp. VI–VIII
Synopsis:

Volume II (1878)

Contents pp. V–VIII
Synopsis:
  • Division III Dicotyledoneae p. 187

''Syllabus'' (Fourth edition 1886)

The system divides plants into divisions, classes and groups. Groups were further divided into orders.Note: ranks translated into Latin
GermanLatinEnglish
AbteilungdivisioDivision
UnterabteilungsubdivisioSubdivision
KlasseclassisClass
ReiheordoOrder
UnterreihesubordoSuborder
Fam.familiaFamily
Unterfam.subfamiliaSubfamily
GruppetribusTribe
GattunggenusGenus
ArtspeciesSpecies

Outline: p. 6. Page numbers refer to text

Class Monocotyleae

Works by Eichler

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  • * Syllabus der Vorlesungen über Phanerogamenkunde Lipsius und Tischer, Kiel 1876.
  • * Subsequent editions published as Syllabus der Vorlesungen über specielle und medicinisch-pharmaceutische Botanik, 2nd ed. 1880, 3rd ed. 1883, 4th ed. 1886, 5th 1890
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  • *** Outline: p. 1
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Other

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