ABSTRACT
A taxonomy, where the processes are included as criteria, of a complex like this will inevitably lead to severe discrepancies between, on the one hand, process-related, and, on the other, pattern-related considerations. The taxonomy and systematics of the blackberries has long been a puzzle to botanists. Early treatments of Rubus classified the genus into species groups and subordinated a hierarchy of taxa to these. The species concept serves two masters, namely, evolutionary theory and taxonomy. With the recognition of progressive evolution in the organismic world, the entities could no longer be regarded as absolute. Since process generates patterns there has since been a desire among biologists to include both evolutionary theory and taxonomy within the species concept. This ambition means, however, that the species concept becomes directly related to what we regard as evolutionary processes. An important aspects of the phylogenetic classification is the clear distinction between phylogenetic and tokogenetic relationships.
