Abstract:Plant taxonomists traditionally place a heayy reliance on floral charactess in assessing relationships and in arriving at taxonomic conclusions. From the standpoint of reproductive biology, differences in number, shape and position of floral parts, in perianth-color patterns, and in various phenological traits, are all features that represent adaptations to various modes of pollination. Such an awareness can immeasurably aid the plant taxonomists in making intelli-gent taxonomic assessments.