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Nuakhai - The festival of Social Harmony

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Nuakhai is an agrarian festival of western odisha, celebrated with pomp and ceremony. It is a bonding festival of sweetness and togetherness. Nuakhai recreate and rejuvenate the newness in life. Nuakhai festival is observed on panchami tithi (fifth day) of lunar fortnight of Bhadrava/Bhudo maas (August-September), the day after Ganesh chaturthi. In odisha, agriculture is the lifeline for majority of people. Every people, be it farmer or poor, eagerly waits for this festival. A farmer awakes from morning and get into nuakhai preparation task. He go to his land for offering prayers to maati and dhana. He in gratefulness. He pray and Praise the benign benevolence of mother earth, feeding us with her golden produce (dhaana). There, he invokes the pancha mahabhutas (the five primal forces of nature) namely earth, water, light, wind and space and offers them his devout offerings of obeisance before he plucks the new grain in grateful respect. After that, he returns with the first-plucked new...
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Artificial Intelligence - Boon or Bane

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Artificial Intelligence – Boon or Bane Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a cornerstone of human progress, transforming every facet of our lives. It empowers humanity with far greater efficiency, precision, and innovation. The course of history has been shaped by four industrial revolutions. The first began with the steam engine and power loom, revolutionizing production and transport systems. The second introduced electricity, mass production, and assembly lines. The third saw the rise of computers, automation, and robotics. Today, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is driven by AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Blockchain, 5G connectivity, Quantum Computing, Robotics, and Biotechnology. The adoption of AI will define the pace of national progress, creating a digitally empowered society with improved living standards and more efficient, transparent systems for the future. Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence is the transformative technology of the 21st century. ARTIFICIAL ...
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LEARNINGS FROM LORD SHREE JAGGANATH

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1. Lord Shree jagannath in context of botany When lord, after, the ritual of snana yatra, catches fever and thus falls ills. He is treated with medicinal herbs.  The medicine composed of Adhara pana, Phuluri tela, Dasamula modaka. Phuluri tela is an herbal oil, and it is prepared in a special way. Made by Bada Odia Matha of Puri - a monastery associated with the Jagannath Temple. As per the custom, Bada Odia Matha prepares and supplies phuluri tela for the Deities. Phuluri tela is a mixture of til (sesame) oil, a variety of flowers (ketaki, champa, boula, malti, malli, jui, jai), krishna bhoga paddy, roots of bena, sandal wood, shala parni, gambhari, lavanga kuli, fanafanaa, krushna parni, bel, khani bathu, patali, khua, ankaranti, gokhara, lambagoti, desi ghee, honey, nabata, khuasara etc. The main ingredient is sesame oil. According to Ayurveda, this oil mixture will give warmth to the body of the Deities to help them recover from fever quickly. Dasamula is prepared from herbal...
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Orchidaceae

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Certainly! Here are some details about the Orchidaceae family, which includes the orchids: 1. Taxonomy: Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants, comprising over 28,000 known species and approximately 763 genera. It is part of the order Asparagales. Orchids are highly diverse in terms of their morphology, growth habits, and habitats. 2. Distribution: Orchids are found worldwide, occurring in diverse habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to deserts and even arctic tundra. They are particularly abundant in tropical regions such as Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and tropical Africa. 3. Morphology: Orchids exhibit a wide range of morphological variations. They can be terrestrial, epiphytic (growing on trees or rocks), or lithophytic (growing on rocks). Orchid flowers are highly complex and varied, often with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. They usually have three petals and three sepals, with one petal modified into a distinct lip or labellum. ...
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Musaceae

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Certainly! Here are some details about the Musaceae family, which includes the banana and plantain plants: 1. Taxonomy: Musaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Zingiberales. It is a small family comprising two genera: Musa (bananas) and Ensete (enset or false banana). The genus Musa is the most well-known and economically significant within the family. 2. Distribution: Musaceae plants are native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and are widely cultivated in other tropical and subtropical areas around the world. They are particularly abundant in countries such as India, China, the Philippines, and various African nations. 3. Morphology: Musaceae plants are large herbaceous plants with pseudostems (false stems) formed by tightly overlapping leaf sheaths. The leaves are large and broad, arranged spirally at the top of the pseudostem. The inflorescence emerges from the top of the pseudostem and is known as a banana bunch. The individual flowers are inconspicuous and arran...
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Liliaceae

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Certainly! Here are some details about the Liliaceae family, also known as the Lily family: 1. Taxonomy: Liliaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Liliales. It is a diverse family comprising approximately 15 genera and over 700 known species. Some well-known genera in Liliaceae include Lilium (true lilies), Allium (onions and garlic), Fritillaria, and Tulipa (tulips). 2. Distribution: Liliaceae plants are found worldwide, occurring in various habitats, including temperate and subtropical regions. They are particularly diverse in the Northern Hemisphere. 3. Morphology: Liliaceae plants exhibit a wide range of growth forms and sizes. They can be perennial herbs, bulbs, or rhizomatous plants. The leaves are typically long and narrow with parallel venation. The flowers are often large, showy, and bisexual, with six tepals (petals and sepals) arranged in two whorls. The flowers can come in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, and purple. 4. Economic Importance: The Li...
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Arecaceae (palmae)

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Certainly! Here are some details about the Arecaceae family, also known as the Palmae or Palm family: 1. Taxonomy: Arecaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Arecales. It is a large family comprising approximately 183 genera and over 2,600 known species. Some well-known genera in Arecaceae include Cocos (coconut), Phoenix (date palm), Elaeis (oil palm), and Areca (betel palm). 2. Distribution: Arecaceae plants are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are particularly abundant in tropical rainforests, but they also occur in other habitats such as deserts, mangroves, and coastal areas. 3. Morphology: Arecaceae plants are characterized by their distinctive palmate or pinnate leaves and unbranched stems called trunks. The trunks can vary in height, from small shrubs to towering trees. Palms are typically monocots, meaning their seeds have a single cotyledon (embryonic leaf). The flowers of Arecaceae are usually small and arranged in dense clusters ca...
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Poaceae family

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Certainly! Here are some details about the Poaceae family, also known as the Grass family or Gramineae: 1. Taxonomy: Poaceae is one of the largest plant families, comprising more than 12,000 known species in approximately 770 genera. It is part of the order Poales. Some well-known genera in Poaceae include Zea (corn), Oryza (rice), Triticum (wheat), Hordeum (barley), and Pennisetum (fountain grass). 2. Distribution: Poaceae plants are found worldwide and are one of the most abundant plant families. They occur in diverse habitats, including grasslands, savannas, forests, and even aquatic environments. 3. Morphology: Poaceae plants are characterized by their grass-like appearance. They typically have long, narrow leaves with parallel venation and hollow, jointed stems called culms. The inflorescences of Poaceae are known as spikelets and consist of multiple florets surrounded by bracts called glumes. Each floret consists of a lemma, a palea, and reproductive organs. 4. Economic Importanc...
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Asteraceae

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some details about the Asteraceae family, also known as the Composite or Sunflower family: 1. Taxonomy: Asteraceae is one of the largest plant families, comprising more than 1,600 genera and over 23,000 known species. It is part of the order Asterales. Some well-known genera in Asteraceae include Helianthus (sunflower), Taraxacum (dandelion), Chrysanthemum, and Aster. 2. Distribution: Asteraceae plants are found worldwide, occurring in a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, forests, deserts, and alpine regions. They are particularly diverse in temperate regions. 3. Morphology: Asteraceae plants exhibit a variety of growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, and some trees. They can be annual or perennial. One characteristic feature of the family is the inflorescence, which is made up of many small flowers grouped together in a compact head, surrounded by modified leaves called bracts. This structure gives the appearance of a single flower, but it is actually a cluster of individua...
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Cucurbitaceae

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Cucurbitaceae Certainly! Here are some details about the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as the Gourd family: 1. Taxonomy: Cucurbitaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Cucurbitales. It is a large family comprising approximately 98 genera and over 900 known species. Some well-known genera in Cucurbitaceae include Cucumis (cucumber and melon), Citrullus (watermelon), Cucurbita (pumpkin and squash), and Lagenaria (bottle gourd). 2. Distribution: Cucurbitaceae plants are found worldwide, occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. They are particularly diverse in Africa, where many wild species originated. 3. Morphology: Cucurbitaceae plants are typically vines with trailing or climbing stems, although some species are shrubs or trees. They often have alternate leaves with palmate or pinnate venation. The flowers are usually unisexual, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The fruits are typically fleshy berries or pepos, which are a type of modified be...
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Rubiaceae

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details about the Rubiaceae family, also known as the Madder family: 1. Taxonomy: Rubiaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Gentianales. It is a large family comprising approximately 620 genera and over 13,000 known species. Some well-known genera in Rubiaceae include Coffea (coffee), Cinchona (quinine), Galium (bedstraw), and Gardenia. 2. Distribution: Rubiaceae plants are found worldwide, occurring in various habitats, including tropical rainforests, temperate regions, and even some deserts. They are particularly diverse in tropical regions. 3. Morphology: Rubiaceae plants exhibit diverse growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, and trees. They often have opposite leaves, meaning the leaves are arranged in pairs along the stem. The leaves can be simple or compound, depending on the species. The flowers of Rubiaceae are usually small and have radial symmetry, with four or five petals fused together. 4. Economic Importance: The Rubiaceae family includes several economically ...
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Solanaceae

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details about the Solanaceae family, also known as the Nightshade family: 1. Taxonomy: Solanaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Solanales. It is a large family comprising approximately 100 genera and over 2,700 known species. Some well-known genera in Solanaceae include Solanum (potato, tomato, and eggplant), Capsicum (pepper), Nicotiana (tobacco), and Datura (jimsonweed). 2. Distribution: Solanaceae plants are distributed worldwide, with a significant number of species found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are particularly diverse in the Americas. 3. Morphology: Solanaceae plants exhibit a wide range of growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, and some trees. They have alternate leaves and may produce characteristic flowers with five petals that are fused into a tubular or bell-shaped corolla. The flowers can vary in color and size depending on the species. 4. Solanaceae Crops: The Solanaceae family includes several economically important crops. Some of the majo...
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Verbenaceae

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Verbenaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the verbena family. Here are some details about the Verbenaceae family: 1. Taxonomy: Verbenaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales. It is a diverse family comprising approximately 35 genera and over 1,000 known species. Some well-known genera in Verbenaceae include Verbena, Lantana, Glandularia, and Vitex. 2. Distribution: Verbenaceae plants are distributed worldwide, occurring in both tropical and subtropical regions. They are particularly diverse in the Americas, with a significant number of species found in South America and the Caribbean. Verbenaceae species can also be found in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. 3. Morphology: Plants in the Verbenaceae family exhibit a range of growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, and small trees. They can have opposite or whorled leaves that are usually simple, but some species may have compound leaves. The leaves are often aromatic when crushed. 4. Flowe...
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Asclepiadaceae

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Asclepiadaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the milkweed family. However, it's worth noting that in recent taxonomic revisions, the family Asclepiadaceae has been merged with the family Apocynaceae to form the family Apocynaceae sensu lato. This revised family includes both former Asclepiadaceae and Apocynaceae species. Therefore, I will provide details about the Apocynaceae family, which encompasses the former Asclepiadaceae. 1. Taxonomy: Apocynaceae sensu lato is a large family of flowering plants in the order Gentianales. It is a diverse family with approximately 425 genera and over 4,500 known species. Some well-known genera within this family include Asclepias (milkweed), Adenium (desert rose), Catharanthus (periwinkle), and Nerium (oleander). 2. Distribution: Apocynaceae plants are found worldwide, occurring in various habitats, including tropical rainforests, arid deserts, and temperate regions. They are particularly diverse in tropical regions, such as ...
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Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

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Apiaceae, commonly known as the carrot or parsley family, is a family of flowering plants. Here are some details about the Apiaceae family: 1. Taxonomy: Apiaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Apiales. It is a large family with approximately 450 genera and over 3,700 known species. Some well-known genera in Apiaceae include Apium (celery), Daucus (carrot), Petroselinum (parsley), and Foeniculum (fennel). 2. Distribution: The Apiaceae family is widespread and found throughout the world. It is particularly diverse in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America. However, some species also occur in tropical and subtropical regions. 3. Morphology: Plants in the Apiaceae family exhibit a range of growth forms, including annuals, biennials, and perennials. They can be herbs, shrubs, or small trees. Apiaceae plants often have hollow stems and are known for their distinctive umbel inflorescence, where the flower stalks radiate from a com...
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Dipterocarpaceae

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Dipterocarpaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the dipterocarps. Here are some details about the Dipterocarpaceae family: 1. Taxonomy: Dipterocarpaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Malvales. It is a large family comprising approximately 17 genera and over 700 known species. The family is primarily distributed in tropical regions of Asia, including Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and Borneo. 2. Morphology: Dipterocarps are predominantly large, evergreen trees. They are known for their impressive size, with some species reaching heights of over 80 meters (260 feet). The trunks of dipterocarps are often straight and cylindrical, and their bark can be smooth or rough. 3. Leaves: The leaves of dipterocarps are typically alternate and spirally arranged along the branches. The leaf shape varies between species but is usually simple and entire, with pinnate venation. The leaves may also exhibit variations in size and texture. 4. Flowers: Dipterocarps produ...
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Malvaceae

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Malvaceae, commonly known as the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants. Here are some details about Malvaceae: 1. Taxonomy: Malvaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Malvales, which also includes other plant families such as Bombacaceae and Sterculiaceae. It is a large family with over 244 genera and around 2440 known species. 2. Distribution: Members of the Malvaceae family are found worldwide, occurring in both tropical and temperate regions. They are most diverse in tropical and subtropical areas. 3. Morphology: Plants in the Malvaceae family exhibit a wide range of growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, and trees. They often have simple, alternate leaves that may be toothed or lobed. The leaves are usually palmately veined, meaning the veins radiate from a common point. 4. Flowers: Malvaceae plants produce flowers that are typically large, showy, and often with vibrant colors. The flowers are usually radially symmetric and have five sepals and five petals. The...
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Euphorbiaceae

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Euphorbiaceae is a large family of flowering plants commonly known as the spurge family. It is a diverse and widespread family, consisting of approximately 300 genera and 7,500 known species. Euphorbiaceae plants exhibit a wide range of morphological and ecological characteristics. Here are some details about Euphorbiaceae: Characteristics: - Leaves: The leaves of Euphorbiaceae plants are highly variable in shape, size, and arrangement. They can be simple or compound, alternate or opposite, and have various margins, including toothed, lobed, or entire. - Flowers: Euphorbiaceae flowers are typically small and unisexual (separate male and female flowers), although some species may have bisexual flowers. The flowers are often inconspicuous and lack showy petals. They are arranged in various inflorescence types, such as racemes, spikes, or cymes. - Sepals: Euphorbiaceae flowers have sepals, typically in the form of glands or small lobes. In some species, the sepals are reduced or absent. -...
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Leguminosae

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Leguminosae, also known as Fabaceae or the legume family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. It is one of the largest plant families, comprising around 750 genera and over 19,000 known species. Leguminosae plants are widely distributed and can be found in various habitats around the world. Here are some details about Leguminosae: Characteristics: - Leaves: The leaves of Leguminosae plants are usually alternate and compound, consisting of multiple leaflets attached to a central stalk called a rachis. The leaflets can be arranged in different patterns, such as pinnate (with leaflets arranged on opposite sides of the rachis) or palmate (with leaflets radiating from a common point). - Flowers: Leguminosae flowers are typically bisexual and have bilateral symmetry. The flowers are often distinct and showy, with a wide range of colors, including shades of white, yellow, pink, red, purple, and blue. They can be solitary or arranged in clusters, spikes, or raceme...
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Rosaceae

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Rosaceae is a large and diverse family of flowering plants commonly known as the rose family. It is a widespread family that includes many familiar and economically important species. Here are some details about Rosaceae: Characteristics: - Leaves: The leaves of Rosaceae plants are typically alternate and can be simple or compound, with toothed or lobed margins. The arrangement and shape of the leaves vary among species. - Flowers: The flowers of Rosaceae are usually bisexual and radially symmetric. They have five sepals, five petals, numerous stamens, and multiple carpels. The flowers can be solitary or arranged in clusters. - Sepals: Rosaceae flowers have five sepals, which are usually green and protect the developing bud. - Petals: The five petals of Rosaceae flowers are typically white, pink, red, or yellow, but other colors can occur. They are often showy and fragrant, attracting pollinators. - Stamens: Rosaceae flowers usually have numerous stamens, which are the male reproductiv...
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Brassicaceae

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Brassicaceae, also known as the mustard family or crucifer family, is a large family of flowering plants. It is a diverse family that includes many economically important crops, as well as many wildflower species. Here are some details about Brassicaceae: Characteristics: - Leaves: The leaves of Brassicaceae plants are typically alternate and can be simple or pinnately compound. They vary in shape and can be entire, toothed, or lobed. Some species have a basal rosette of leaves. - Flowers: The flowers of Brassicaceae are typically small to medium-sized and have four petals that form a cross shape, giving the family its alternative name "crucifer." The flowers are usually arranged in clusters called inflorescences. - Sepals: Brassicaceae flowers have four sepals, which are often green and may be partially fused. - Petals: The four petals of Brassicaceae flowers are arranged in a cross shape. The petals can be white, yellow, pink, purple, or blue, depending on the species. - St...
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Ranunculaceae

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Ranunculaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the buttercup family. It is one of the largest families of flowering plants, comprising approximately 2,500 known species. The family is widely distributed across the world, found in both temperate and subtropical regions. Characteristics: - Leaves: The leaves of plants in the Ranunculaceae family are typically alternate, basal, or cauline (attached to the stem). They are usually simple, lobed, or compound with toothed or smooth margins. The leaves vary in shape, size, and texture depending on the species. - Flowers: The flowers of Ranunculaceae are usually bisexual and radially symmetric. They are composed of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. The number of floral parts can vary, but they typically have five or more sepals and petals. The petals are often bright and showy, ranging in color from white and yellow to pink, red, or blue. - Sepals: The sepals are the outermost whorl of floral parts, usually green and leaf-l...
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Magnoliaceae

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Magnoliaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the magnolia family. It is a diverse family that includes both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Here are some details about Magnoliaceae: 1. Taxonomy: Magnoliaceae is a family of flowering plants belonging to the order Magnoliales. It is a relatively small family consisting of about 305 known species and 10 genera. 2. Distribution: Magnoliaceae plants are distributed primarily in temperate and tropical regions of Asia and the Americas. They are most diverse in East Asia, particularly in China and Japan. 3. Morphology: Magnoliaceae plants are characterized by their large, showy flowers. The flowers are typically bisexual, although some species have separate male and female flowers. The flowers have numerous petal-like tepals arranged in a spiral or whorl, and they often have a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are simple, alternate, and usually leathery. 4. Genera: The Magnoliaceae family includes several notable gener...
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Comparative account of various systems of Angiosperm Classiification

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The Bentham and Hooker system of classification, also known as the "Bentham and Hooker's system," was proposed by George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker in their book "Genera Plantarum" published in 1862-1883. It was one of the earliest comprehensive classifications of angiosperms. The system primarily focused on the morphological characteristics of plants, including vegetative and floral features. Here are the key features and divisions of the Bentham and Hooker system: 1. Subdivision into Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons:    The Bentham and Hooker system recognized two major classes of angiosperms: Monocotyledons (Monocots) and Dicotyledons (Dicots). This division was based on the number of cotyledons (seed leaves) present in the embryo. 2. Monocotyledons:    Monocotyledons were characterized by having seeds with a single cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves, flower parts in multiples of three, and scattered vascular bundles in the stem. The Monocot class was fur...
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