Whither Plant Taxonomy? A Critical Review of Its Past, Present, and Future

Plant taxonomy is underpins our understanding of biodiversity, yet it faces a growing paradox like advances in molecular sequencing, artificial intelligence, DNA barcoding, and digital collections are expanding analytical capabilities while taxonomic expertise, reference resources, and institutional support remain unevenly distributed. This critical narrative review examines the historical and conceptual development of plant taxonomy, the benefits and limitations of emerging technologies, and the institutional conditions shaping the production of taxonomic knowledge. Literature identified through Dimensions AI was synthesised thematically. Because the available materials did not include a complete database export or record-level screening log, this review does not claim exhaustive or systematic coverage. The analysis indicates that tools can accelerate plant identification and broaden access to biodiversity information, but their reliability depends on verified specimens, representative reference datasets, defensible species concepts, expert interpretation, and sustained curation. Hybridisation, polyploidy, and conflicting lines of evidence continue to complicate species delimitation, while inequalities in training, funding, publishing opportunities, and regional research leadership constrain taxonomic progress. Open data alone cannot address these challenges without institutional capacity to generate, interpret, maintain, and govern biodiversity information. Accordingly, the review proposes an agenda centred on integrative taxonomy, transparent evidence-based decisions, sustained investment in herbaria and specialist training, equitable international collaboration, responsible data governance, and recognition of taxonomic work. The future of plant taxonomy will depend not on technological innovation alone, but on strengthening the people, collections, and institutions that make biodiversity knowledge reliable and useful for conservation.