ABSTRACT
Phytochemistry plays an important role in taxonomy and is known by different names, viz., Chemotaxonomy, Chemosystematics, Chemical taxonomy or Biochemical systematics. The presence of specific secondary metabolites or their pattern of occurrence in different part of the plant can be used to categorize large taxonomic groups. Micromolecular data include secondary metabolites such as Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Polyacetylenes, Alkaloids, Betalains, and Glucosinolates. Polyacetylenes represent a large group of non-nitrogenous secondary metabolites that are formed by the linking of acetate units through fatty acids. Phenolics have been widely used in taxonomy for the classification of higher plants. Anthocyanins are among the most vital group of plant pigments owing to their role in imparting colour to the flower. Glycosides are often present in the vacuoles and are sometimes even localized in particular cells. Cyanogenic glycosides derived from tyrosine are found in a number of families belonging to the order Magnoliales and Laurales.
