Plant systematics in the next 50 years - re-mapping the new frontier

In the historical context of plant systematics over the last 50 years, syst ematics is examined in terms of where it is now, where it is headed, where it should be, and how it should get there. Issues and concerns of the past decades are still with us today. Molecular systematics has become the over- arching field in systematics, but each of eight other areas (genome, chromo somes, morphology and anatomy, development, population biology, speciation, floristics and monography, nomenclature and classification) are evaluated. A revolution in systematics is not necessary for the next 50 years in plan t systematics. What is needed is a re-mapping of our discipline that involv es four elements for the future growth and health of botanical systematics: plant systematics and its utility, dialogue with other disciplines, multi- disciplinary training, and a pluralistic viewpoint.