Abstract:
The development of plant taxonomy in South Africa from about 1600 to 2015 is reviewed, with emphasis on the main driving
factors that have influenced the research direction, techniques used, and choice of taxonomic research topic. In addition,
key personalities and important historical events are highlighted. The early scientific interest in the flora of South Africa
and, by implication, its taxonomy was initially driven by curiosity. Exploration of plants for economic purposes especially
for medicinal use and later, agriculture, drove the scientific development of botany and formed the foundation of formal
botany in the country. Establishment of botanical gardens and herbaria influenced botanical research, in particular the field of
taxonomy. Technological advances lead to increased modernisation of taxonomy as new sources of information derived from
other fields of botany were incorporated into taxonomic research. Funding priorities and availability of financial resources
influence the taxonomic research that is conducted, and international initiatives that impact on priorities in biodiversity
science have further impact on taxonomy. At present the predominant culture of taxonomy is directed towards electronic
dissemination of taxonomic information, leading to increased accessibility and connectivity. Strategic planning of plant
taxonomy in South Africa has become more formal as relevance and impact of research products increasingly need to be
justified with respect to the financial costs of conducting taxonomic research.
