Which term describes the scientist who identifies and classifies plants?

• A. botanist
• B. ecologist
• C. taxonomist
• D. horticulturist

Answer: (C)

Identifying and organizing plants is all about taxonomy—the system for naming and classifying living things. The person who does this work is a taxonomist. They study plant features, relationships, and use established naming rules to group plants into species, genera, families, and beyond, often using binomial nomenclature (Genus species) to name each plant.

A botanist is a broader plant scientist who may study many aspects of plants, not just classification. An ecologist focuses on how plants interact with their environment and other organisms. A horticulturist works on growing and improving plants for cultivation. So the term that best fits someone who identifies and classifies plants is taxonomist.