The book serves as a much-needed academic resource designed to bridge the gap between voluminous botanical references and the practical needs of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Focused specifically on ornamental plant systematics, this book offers a simplified yet comprehensive overview of key taxonomic principles, with particular relevance to the Indian flora.

The text is structured into 55 independent chapters, allowing flexibility in teaching and learning. Early chapters explore the historical foundations of taxonomy, methods of plant collection, classification systems, and the rules of botanical nomenclature. Specialized chapters introduce students to emerging fields like chemotaxonomy, palynotaxonomy, and serotaxonomy. Midway through the book, detailed discussions cover herbarium techniques, botanical libraries, biodiversity conservation tools like the Red Data Book, and the role of botanical gardens.

Central to the text is the in-depth treatment of 33 prominent angiosperm families found in India, with chapters 20 through 54 dedicated to family-wise floral formulae, diagnostic characters, and systematic placement. This hands-on approach equips students with the necessary tools to identify, describe, and classify ornamental plants based on floral structures and taxonomic markers.

The book is also a valuable reference for teachers, horticulturists, and plant science professionals. Written in accessible language without compromising on academic rigor, the book balances clarity with depth—making complex concepts easy to understand while preserving scientific accuracy. 

1. Introduction

2. Origin of Ornamental Crops

3. History of Plant Taxonomy

4 Systems of Classification

5 Classification of Ornamental Plant Nomenclature (A) Plant Nomenclature

6 Plant Collection and Specimen Preparation

7. Chemotaxonomy

8. Palynotaxonomy

9. Serotaxonomy

10. Botanical Library

11. Biodiversity

12. Botanical Gardens

13. The Red Data Book

14. Herbarium

15. Floral Formula and Floral Diagram

16. Conservation and Tissue Culture Repository

17. Use of Molecular Techniques in Modern Plant Systematics

18. Terms used in Plant Taxonomy

19. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Acts

20. Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family

22. Amaryllidaceae (Earlier Agavaceae) (Daffodil Family

23. Apoycynaceae (Dogbane Family

24. Araceae (Arum Family

25. Asteraceae (Sunflower Family

26. Bignoniaceae (Bignonia Family

27. Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

28. Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family

29. Casuarinaceae (Casuarina/ Beefwood Family

30. Combretaceae (Combretum Family

31. Crucifeare (Mustard Family)

34. Iridaceae (Iris Family

35. Labiatae or Lamiaceae (Mint Family

36. Liliaceae (Lily Family)

37. Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family)

38. Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

39. Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)

40. Nelumbonaceae (Lotus Family)

41. Nyctaginaceae (Four O’clock Family)

42. Nymphaeaceae (Water-Lily Family)

43. Oleaceae (Olive Family)

44. Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

45. Palmae/ Arecaceae (Palm Family)

46. Primulaceae (Primula or Primrose Family)

47. Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

49. Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

50. Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon Family)

51. Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)

52. Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

53. Violaceae (Violet Family)

54. Zingiberaceae (Ginger Family)