The term Taxonomy was initially introduced in the year 1813 and it is a branch of science that deals with the classification, nomenclature and identification of objects of biological origin. On the other hand, plant taxonomy is a branch of botany that is concerned with the identification, nomenclature and classification of plants and people, who are specialized in this field are called as Plant Taxonomists. This field is also referred to as Systematic Botany in some circumstances.

Educational qualification requirement:

Candidates, who are interested in becoming plant taxonomist, should get a formal education. For doing so, they should take up science group at their higher secondary level with zoology, botany, chemistry and physics subjects and after completion of the higher secondary course, they will have to go for Bachelor of Science in Botany followed by Master of Science in Botany. Plant taxonomy is offered as one among the different subjects in the B. Sc and M. Sc botany courses and after completion of these courses, they should get specialized in plant taxonomy either in Master of Philosophy or in Doctor of Philosophy degree in Botany. In India, some top universities offer plant taxonomy as an important subject at the degree and Pg course of Botany and they are:

• University of Calcutta

• St. Joseph’s College, Trichy

• Presidency College, Chennai

• Madras Christian College,

• University of Delhi

• University of Calicut

• St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai

• Sri Krishnadevaraya University

• Presidency College, Kolkata

• Osmania University

• North Eastern Hill University

• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University

Therefore, to become a plant taxonomist, candidates should possess a Ph. D in Botany or at least M. Sc in Botany with specialization in plant taxonomy.

Latest Government job notifications:

Some of the recent government job notifications for plant taxonomist are given below:

• Scientist – Plant Taxonomy – The National Botanical Research Institute

• Junior Research Fellow – Rain Forest Research Institute

Thus, plant taxonomist can find employment opportunities in research institutions and research organizations or they can also find job placement in agricultural universities and institutions in India. In universities and colleges, they can look for teaching position, they can also find placement in the research department of the institutions, or they can also become readers in universities. Based on the experience and qualification, candidates with plant taxonomy specialization can serve in any of the following positions:

• Botanist

• Scientist or taxonomist in research institutions

• Herbarium curator

Thus, candidates with great interest towards studies about plants, can choose plant taxonomy as their career.