CLASSIFICATION OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS:

A. HORTICULTURAL CLASSIFICATION
I. FRUITS
1. Classification of fruits based on climatic requirement
a. Temperate Fruits- Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum, Almond,Strawberry
b. Tropical Fruits- Mango, Jackfruit, Pineapple, Sapota, Custard apple, Papaya
c. Sub tropical Fruits- Bael, Ber, Citrus, Guava,Fig, Mandarin, Litchi

2. Classification of fruits based on nature of growth

a. Herb- Banana, Pineapple
b. Shrub- Pomegranate, Phalsa
c. Woody- Mango, Ber, Apple, Peach, Pear, Sapota

3. Classification of fruits based on continuation of growth

a. Evergreen- Mango, Citrus, Sapota
b. Deciduous- Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum

4. Classification of fruits based on types of fruit

a. Aggregate fruits- Custard apple, Strawberry, Raspberry
b. Berry- Guava, Banana, Grapes, Papaya, Sapota
c. Capsule- Aonla, Carambola
d. Drupe,Stone- Mango, Coconut, Almond, Ber, Jamun, Peach
e. Hesperidium-Orange
f. Multiple fruit- Pineapple, Mulberry
g. Nut- Litchi, Rambutan, Chestnut
h. Pome- Apple, Pear, Loquats
i. Psorosis-Jackfruit, Pineapple
j. Syconus- Fig

5. Classification of fruits based on parts used

a. Aril- Litchi
b. Endosperm- Coconut
 c. Fleshy axis, bract, perianth- Pineapple
d. Fleshy layer of pericarp- Bael
e. Fleshy thalamus- Apple
f. Fleshy thalamus and receptacles- Fig
g. Juicy covering of seed- Pomegranate
h. Juicy placental hairs- Citrus
i. Mesocarp- Mango
j. Mesocarp and Endocarp- Banana
k. Pericarp and thalamus- Jamun
l. Pericarp and placenta- Grapes
m. Seed- Almond, Walnut
n. Stalk of fruit and thalamus- Pear

6. Classification of fruits based on salinity tolerance

a. Sensitive- Peach, Plum, Almond, Apricot
b. Moderately tolerant- Grapes, Orange, Lemon, Mango
c. Tolerant- Guava, Ber, Date, Aonla, Pomegranate, Custard apple

7. Classification of fruits based on ripening behaviour

a. Climacteric frui- Mango, Guava, Jackfruit, Sapota, Papaya
b. Non climacteric- Lemon, Grapes, Litchi, Pomegranate, Pineapple

8. Classification of fruits based on bearing habits

a. Terminal bearing- Jackfruit, Bael, Mango, Litchi
b. Axillary bearing- Aonla, Ber, Guava, Sapota, Karonda
c. Mixed bearing- Citrus, Pomegranate

9. Classification of fruits based on photoperiodic requirement

a. Short day plant- Pineapple, Strawberry
b. Long day plant- Banana

10. Classification of fruits based on water requirement

a. Hydrophytes- Banana
b. Mesophytes- Mango, papaya, Guava, Apple, Peach
 c. Xerophytes- Ber, Date

II. VEGETABLES
1. Classification of vegetables based on their season of growth
a. Cool season/Rabi crops- Pea, Cabbage, Potato, Lettuce, Radish, Fenugreek,
Garlic, Tomato
b. Warm season /Kharif crops- Cowpea, Tomato, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber,
Pepper, Brinjal, Okra

2. Classification of vegetables based on the methods of culture

a. Fruit vegetables- Tomato, brinjal, okra, chilli
b. Cole crops- Cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol, brussels sprouts, sprouting
broccoli
c. Cucurbits- Bitter gourd, bottle gourd, pointed gourd, musk melon, water melon,
cucumber
d. Leafy vegetables-Spinach, lettuce, fenugreek, coriander
e. Root vegetables -Carrot, radish, beetroot, turnip
f. Tuber crops -Potato, sweet potato, yam, colocasia
g. Bulb crops-Onion, garlic
h. Leguminous vegetables-French bean, pea, cowpea, cluster bean, amaranthus
i. Salad crops-Lettuce, celery, asparagus, leek, parsley

3. Classification of vegetables based on their hardiness

a. Hardy vegetables- Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, garlic, onion, pea,
radish, spinach, turnip
b. Semi hardy vegetables- Cauliflower, potato, beetroot, lettuce, celery, globe
artichoke
c. Tender vegetables- Cucurbits, chilli, tomato, cluster bean, cowpea, yam,
tapioca

4. Classification of vegetables based on their parts used

a. Leaves - Amaranthus, Cabbage, Coriander, Fenugreek, Spinach
b. Stem -Asparagus, Potato
 c. Buds and flowers - Broccoli, Cauliflower, Globe Artichoke
d. Fruits - Beans, Pea, Cowpea, Brinjal, Tomato, Chilli, Okra, Cucurbits
e. Roots- Radish, Carrot, Turnip
 Underground parts viz., bulbs, corm, rhizome and tubers:
f. Bulbs- Onion, Garlic
g. Corm- Yam, Colocasia
h. Rhizome- Ginger, Turmeric
i. Tuber- Potato, Sweet potato

5. Classification of vegetables based on tolerance to soil acidity

a. Slightly tolerant (pH 6.8-6.0)- Okra, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Muskmelon,
Onion, Spinach, Lettuce
b. Moderately tolerant (pH 6.8-5.5)- Brinjal, Pea, Pumpkin, Radish, Tomato,
Garlic, Cucumber
c. Very tolerant (pH 5.5-5.0)- Potato, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Rhubarb

6. Classification of vegetables based on salt (Molar concentration of NaCl)

a. Sensitive (0.25)- Tomato, Snake gourd
b. Moderately tolerant (0.50)- Chilli, Okra, Cabbage, Sweet potato
 Moderately tolerant (0.75)-Amaranth, Cauliflower, Onion, Radish, Bottle gourd
c. Highly tolerant (1.00)- French bean, Ash gourd
 Highly tolerant (1.25) - Bitter gourd

7. Classification of vegetables based on methods of raising

a. Direct Sown- Okra, Carrot, Radish, Peas, Beans
b. Transplanted- Brinjal, Tomato, Chilli, Cabbage, Cauliflower

8. Classification of vegetables based on forcing

a. Cool forcing vegetables- Asparagus, Carrot, Cauliflower, Radish, Spinach,
Pea, Onion, Lettuce, Celery
b. Warm forcing vegetables- Brinjal, Bean, Tomato, Cucumber, Muskmelon
9. Classification of vegetables based on pigmentation
a. Green coloured vegetables- Vegtables having green colour due to chlorophylls
b. Yellow coloured vegetables- Vegetables rich in carotenoids
c. Red/Blue coloured vegetables- Vegetables rich in anthocyanin

10. Classification of vegetables based on soil factors

a. Basophiles- Vegetables which grow well in alkali soils
b. Acidophiles- Vegetables which grow well in acidic soils
c. Neutrophiles- Vegetables which grow well in neutral soils
d. Psammophytes- Vegetables which grow well in soils having sad and gravel
e. Petrophytes- Vegetables which grow well on rocks

III. FLOWERS
1. Classification of flowers based on season of growing
a. Summer season annual- Zinnia, Portulaca, Gallardia, Gomphrena, Sunflower
b. Winter season annual- Aster, Cornflower, Candytuft, Petunia, Chrysanthemum
c. Rainy season annual- Gaillardia, Cockscomb, Balsam, Marigold, Salvia

2. Based on colour of flower

a. White- Alyssum, Dianthus, China Aster, Zinnia
b. Yellow/Orange- Calendula, Dimorphotheca, Zinnia
c. Purple/Lavender/Blue- Ageratum, Clitoria, Delphinium, Petunia, Viola,
Verbena, Statice

3. Based on purpose of growing

a. Rockery- Phlox, Ageratum, Portulaca, Linum, Alyssum, Godetia
b. Hanging Baskets- Dwarf Ageratum, Petunia, Portulaca, Verbna, Torenia
c. Edges- Dwarf Ageratum, Alyssum, Dianthus, Iresine, Portulaca
d. Fragrance- Rose, Jasmine, Tuberose, Sweet sultan, Phlox
e. Bedding- Dahlia, Marigold, Phlox, Verbena, Candytuft, Balsam, Portulaca
f. Pots- Carnation, Antirrhinum, Petunia, Aglaonema, Begonia, Dracaena
g. Dry flowers- Statice, Helichrysum, Rose, Nigella
h. Cut flowers- Rose, Gladiolus, Carnation, Anthurium, Tuberose
i. Loose flowers- Marigold, Chrysathemum, Aster, Zinnia, Gaillardia
 j. Hedges-Duranta, Acalypha, Tecoma, Thevetia, Hibiscus

4. Based on nature of growth

a. Annuals- Hollyhock, Chrysanthemum, Carnation, Dahlia, Verbena, Phlox,
Marigold
b. Perennials- Rose, Chrysanthemum, Jasmine

5. Based on mode of propagation

a. Bulb-Lily, Tulip, Narcissus
b. Cormel- Gladiolus, Crocus
c. Rhizome-Iris, Canna
d. Tuber- Dahlia

6. Based on growth behaviour

a. Herb- Viola, Verbena, Linum
b. Shrub- Rose, Jasmine, Tecoma
c. Trees- Amaltas, Gulmohar, Neem

7. Based on photoperiodic requirement

a. Short day- Salvia, Primrose, Poinsettia
b. Long day- Aster, Calendula, Gardenia, Stock
c. Day neutral- Carnation, Hibiscus

8. Based on ability to grow

a. Climber- Antigonan, Thunbergia, Passiflora

b. Rambler-Quisqualis indica
c. Creeper- Ficus repens, Tecoma radicans
d. Twiner- Asparagus, Ipomoea, Lonicera

IV. SPICES
1. Based on completion of life cycle
a. Annual- Cumin, Fennel, Coriander, Fenugreek
b. Biennial- Onion, Garlic
 c. Perennial- Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Saffron

2. Based on growth behaviour

a. Herbaceous- Cumin, Coriander, Fenugreek, Onion, Garlic
b. Shrubaceous-Black pepper, Cardamom
c. Tree spices- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove

3. Based on importance
a. Major spices- Ginger, turmeric, garlic, onion
b. Minor spices- Cumin, Fennel, Coriander, Fenugreek, Clove, Nutmeg

4. Based on part used

a. Seed spices- Fenugreek, Ajwain, Cumin, Coriander
b. Bark spices- Cinnamon
c. Bud spices-Clove
d. Fruit spices- Cumin, Coriander, Fennel, Black pepper, Chilli
e. Flower spices-saffron
f. Leaf spices- Coriander, Fenugreek
g. Underground rhizome- Turmeric, Ginger, Onion, Garlic

5. Based on utility
a. Taste imparting spices- Cardamom, Ginger, Cumin, Garlic, Onion, Chilli,
Black pepper
b. Flavour imparting spices- Clove, Cardamom, Coriander leaf, Curry leaf,
Asfoetida, Garlic

6. Based on cultural management

a. Horticultural spices- Ginger, Turmeric, Chilli, Garlic, Onion, Curry leaves
b. Plantation crops-Black pepper, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, All spice
c. Agronomic spices- Coriander, Cumin, Ajwain, Chilli, Fennel

7. Based on photoperiodic requirement

a. Short day plant- Onion
b. Long day plant- Onion, Garlic, Fennel, Chilli, Anise, Nutmeg
 c. Day neutral plant- Capsicum, Basil

V. PLANTATION CROPS
1. Based on growth behaviour
a. Vine- vanilla, Black pepper
b. Shrub- Tea
c. Tree- Coconut, Cashew nut, Nutmeg

2. Based on utility
a. Food- Coconut, Cashew nut
b. Industrial- Rubber, Arecanut, Oil Palm, Sulphi

3. Based on intensity of cultivation

a. Single storeyed- Clove, Nutmeg
b. Multi storeyed- Coconut, Rubber

Apart from these classifications, horticultural crops are also classified as:
1. Based on growing environment-
a. Epiphyte- Plant which grows on another plant. Eg Orchids
b. Hydrophytes- Plant which grows on water. Eg. Nelumbo
c. Lithophyte- Plant which grows on stone. Eg. Fern
d. Petrophyte- Plant which grows on rocks.
e. Psammophyte- Plant which grows in soil having sand and gravel
f. Terrestrial- Plant which grows on earth
g. Xerophytes- Plant which grows on dry areas. Eg Cactus

2. Based on light requirement-

a. Heliophytes- Plant which grows in open sunny situation
b. Facultative heliophytes - Plant which also grows in shade
c. Obligate heliophytes - Plant which always grows under sunny situation
d. Sciophytes- Plant which grows in shade
e. Facultative sciophytes - Plant which also grows in open sunny situation
f. Obligate sciophytes - Plant which always grows in shade
 B. Botanical Classification of Horticultural crops:

Family Common name Botanical Name

FRUIT AND PLANTATION CROPS

Monocot
Coconut Cocus nucifera
Arecaceae Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
Arecanut Areca catechu
Bromeliaceae Pineapple Ananas comosus
Musaceae Banana Musa paradisiaca
Dicot
Mango Mangifera indica
Anacardiaceae
Cashew nut Anacardium occidentale
Annonaceae Custard apple Ananas squamosa
Apocynaceae Karonda Carissa carandas
Caricaceae Papaya Carica papaya
Caesalpinaceae Tamarind Tamarindus indica
Euphorbiaceae Aonla Emblica officinalis
Juglandaceae Walnut Juglans regia
Lauraceae Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus
Moraceae Mulberry Morus alba
Rubber Hevea brasiliensis
Guava Psidium guajava
Myrtaceae Jamun Syzygium cumini
Clove Syzygiumaromaticum
Punicaceae Pomegranate Punica granatum
Rhamnaceae Indian jujube/ Ber Ziziphus mauritiana
Apple Malus pumila
Peach Prunus persica
Rosaceae
Pear Pyrus communis
Strawberry Fragaria vesca
Rubiaceae Coffee Coffea arabica
Bael Aegle marmelos
Mandarin Citrus reticulata
Rutaceae
Sweet orange Citrus sinensis
Kagzi lime Citrus aurantifolia
Litchi Litchi chinensis
Sapindaceae
Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
Sapotaceae Sapota Manilkara zapota
Sterculiaceae Cocoa Theobroma cacao
Tiliaceae Phalsa Grewia asiatica
Theaceae Tea Camellia sinensis
Vitaceae Grape Vitis vinifera

VEGETABLE CROPS
 Monocot
Onion Allium cepa L.
Garlic Allium sativum L.
Alliaceae Leek Allium ampeloprasum L. var. porrum
Shallot Allium ascalonicum L.
Taro Colocasia esculenta
Araceae
Elephant Foot Yam Amorphophallus campanulatus
Greater Yam Diascoria allata
Dioscoreaceae
Lesser Yam Dioscoria esculenta
Liliaceae Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
Dicot
Chicory Chicorium intybus L.
Endive Cichorium endivia L.
Asteraceae
Globe artichoke Cynara scolymus L.
Lettuce Lactuca sativa L.
Amaranth Amarantus tricolour L.
Amaranthaceae
Choti Chaulai Amarantus blitum L.
Basella rubra L. var. alba
Basellaceae Indian Spinach
B. rubra L. var. rubra
Palak B. vulgaris L. var. bengalensis
Chenopodiaceae Spinach Spinacea oleracea L.
Beet root Beta vulgaris var. rubra L.
Convolvulaceae Sweet Potato Ipomoea batatas L.
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.
Cauliflower B. oleracea var. botrytis L.
Cruciferae
Brussels sprouts B. oleracea var. gemmifera L.
Knolkhol B. oleracea var. caulorapa L.
Sprouting broccoli B. oleracea var. italica L.
Radish Raphanus sativus L.
Turnip B. campestris var. rapa L.
Cucurbitaceae Bottle gourd Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Stand.
Bitter gourd Momordica charantia L.
Pumpkin Cucurbita moschata (D.) Poir
Cucumber Cucumis sativus L.
Muskmelon Cucumis melo L.
Watermelon Citrullus lanatus (T.)
Snap melon C. melo var. momordica L.
Long melon C. melo var. utilissimus L.
Gherkin Cucumis anguria L.
Round melon C. lanatus var. fistulosus (S.) Mansf.
Summer squash C. pepo L.
Winter squash C. maxima D.
Giant spine gourd (Kakrol) M. cochinchinensis Spreng
Ridge gourd Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
Sponge gourd Luffa cylindrica Roxb.
Ash gourd Benincasa hispida
Ivy gourd Coccinia indica
Pointed gourd Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.
 Chow-chow (chayote) Sechium edule (J.) S.
Euphorbiaceae Cassava/Tapioca Manihot esculenta Crantz.
Peas Pisum sativum L.
Cowpea Vigna unguiculata
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum graecum L.
Hyacinth bean/ Lablab bean Dolichos lablab (L.) Roxb.
Leguminoceae Winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.
Broad bean Vicia faba L.
Cluster bean Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.) Taub.
Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus L.
French bean Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Malvaceae Okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)Moench
Moringaceae Drumstick Moringa oleifera Lamk.
Rutaceae Curry leaf Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng
Potato Solanum tuberosum L.
Brinjal Solanum melongena L.
Solanaceae Tomato Solanum lycopersicon Mill.
Chilli Capsicum annuum var. annuum
Sweet Pepper (Capsicum) Capsicum annuum var. grossum
Carrot Daucus carota L.
Umbelliferae/
Celery Apium graveolens L.
Apiaceae
Parsley Petroselinum crispum (Mill.)
SPICES & CONDIMENTS
Monocot
Onion Allium cepa L.
Alliaceae
Garlic Allium sativum L.
Ginger Zingiber officinale
Zingiberaceae
Turmeric Curcuma longa
Dicot
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Cumin Cuminum cyminum
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
Apiaceae Ajwain Trachyspermum ammi
Asfoetida Ferula assa-foetida
Celery Apium graveolens
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Fabaceae Fenugreek Trigonella foenum- graecum
Iridaceae Saffron Crocus sativus
Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
Lauraceae
Tejpatta/ Bay leaf Cinnamomum tamala
Labiateae Ocimum Ocimum sanctum
Orchidaceae Vanilla Vanilla planifolia
Clove Syzygium aromaticum
Myrtaceae
Nutmeg Myristica fragrans
Poaceae Khas Chrysopogon zizianiodes
Piperaceae Black pepper Piper nigrum
Rutaceae Curry leaves Murraya koenigii
MEDICINAL & AROMATIC PLANTS
Apocynaceae Sarpagandha Rauwolfia serpentina
Burseraceae Guggal Commiphora mukul
Fabaceae Senna Cassia angustifolia
Graminae Lemon grass Cymbopogon flexuosus
Lamiaceae Mints Mentha spp.
Liliaceae Aloe Aloe vera
Meliaceae Neem Azadirachta indica
Plantaginaceae Isabgol Plantago ovata
Solanaceae Ashwagandha Withania somnifera
FLORICULTURE
Shade, ornamental and flowering trees
Annonaceae Ashoka Polyalthia longifolia
Karanj Pongamia pinnata
Palas Butea monosperma
Fabaceae
Amaltas Cassia fistula
/Leguminosae
Sita Ashoka Saraca indica
Gulmohar Delonix regia
Meliaceae Neem Azadirachta indica
Moraceae Banyan tree Ficus benghalensis
Moraceae Peepal Ficus religiosa
Ornamental and flowering shrubs
Chandni Tabernaemontana divaricata
Kaner Nerium indicum
Apocynaceae
Kaner (Yellow) Thevetia peruviana
Allamanda Allamanda cathartica
Bambucaceae Ornamental Bamboo Bambusa fortune variegate
Malvaceae China rose Hibiscus-rosa-sinensis
Mimosaceae Powder puff Calliandra hybrida
Oleaceae Chameli Jasminum grandiflorum
Rubiaceae Ixora Ixora parviflora
Rutaceae Kamini or Orange jasmine Murraya paniculata
Solanaceae Raat ki rani (Queen of night) Cestrum nocturnum
Sterculiaceae Dombeya Dombeya spectabilis
Theaceae Camellia Camellia japonica
Climbers
Apocynaceae Yellow allamanda Allamanda cathartica
Golden shower Bignonia venusta
Bignoniaceae
Trumpet flower Campis grandiflora
Madhu-malati, Rangoon Quisqualis indica (syn. Combretum
Combretaceae
creeper indicum)
Convolvulaceae Railway creeper Ipomea cairica
Nyctaginaceae Bougainvillea Bougainvillea species
Polygonaceae Coral Vine Antigonon leptopus
Ranunculaceae Clematis Clematis paniculata
Annuals
Amaranthaceae Cock’s comb Celosia argentea
Asteraceae Aster Callistephus chinensis
Dahlia Dahlia variabilis
 Daisy Bellis perennis
Gaillardia or Blanket flower Gaillardia pulchella
Zinnia Zinnia elegans
Caryophyllaceae Sweet william Dianthus barbatus
Onagraceae Clarkia Clarkia elegans
Portulaceae Portulaca or Sunplant Portulaca grandiflora
Solanaceae Petunia Petunia hybrida
Verbenaceae Verbena Verbena hybrida
Violaceae Pansy Viola tricolor var. hortensis
Cacti and succulents
Amaryllidaceae Agave Agave americana
Opuntia Opuntia cylindrica
Cactaceae Pereskia Pereskia aculeata
Cereus Cereus hexagonus
Rebutia Rebutia senilis
Crassulaceae Sedum Sedum nudum
Snake plant Sansiveria marginata
Liliaceae
Yucca Yucca gloriosa
Portulaceae Portulacaria Portulacaria afra