A system of plant taxonomy, the Eichler system was the first phylogenetic (phyletic) or evolutionary system.^[1][2] It was developed by August W. Eichler (1839–1887), initially in his Blüthendiagramme (1875–1878) and then in successive editions of his Syllabus (1876–1890).^[3][4][5] After his death his colleague Adolf Engler (1844–1930) continued its development, and it became widely accepted.

The system was based on dividing the plant kingdom into those plants with concealed reproductive organs (non-floral), the (Cryptogamae, = hidden reproduction) and those with visible reproductive organs (floral), the (Phanerogamae, = visible reproduction).^[6] Moreover, Eichler was the first taxonomist to separate the Phanerogamae into Angiosperms and Gymnosperms and the former into Monocotyledonae and Dicotyledonae.^[7] His primary ranks were Divisions (Abtheilung), followed by orders (Reihe).

Blüthendiagramme (1875–1878)

Volume I (1875)

Contents pp. VI–VIII
Synopsis:

• Division I Gymnospermae p. 54
• Division II Monocotyledoneae p. 73
• Division III Dicotyledoneae p. 187 (part)

Volume II (1878)

Contents pp. V–VIII
Synopsis:

• Division III Dicotyledoneae p. 187 (continued)

Syllabus (Fourth edition 1886)

The system (here taken from the 4th edition of the Syllabus, 1886) divides plants into divisions, classes and groups. Groups were further divided into orders.

• Note: ranks translated into Latin

Outline: p. 6.^[8] Page numbers refer to text

• A. Cryptogamae

  division I. Thallophyta

  classis I. Algae

  group I. Cyanophyceae

  group II. Diatomeae

  group III. Chlorophyceae p. 8

  group IV. Phaeophyceae

  group V. Rhodophyceae

  classis II. Fungi

  group I. Schizomycetes

  group II. Eumycetes

  group III. Lichenes

  division II. Bryophyta

  classis I. Hepaticae

  classis II. Musci

  division III. Pteridophyta p. 21

  classis I. Equisetinae

  classis II. Lycopodinae

  classis III. Filicinae

• B. Phanerogamae

  division I. Gymnospermae p. 33

  division II. Angiospermae p. 34

  classis I. Monocotyleae (7 orders) p. 34

  order I. Liliiflorae p. 34

  ordo II. Enantioblastae

  ordo III. Spadiciflorae

  ordo IV. Glumiflorae

  ordo V. Scitamineae

  ordo VI. Gynandreae

  classis II. Dicotyleae p. 39

  subclassis I. Choripetalae

  subclassis II. Sympetalae p. 58

Class Monocotyleae

• order I. Liliiflorae p. 34 (6 families)

  1. Liliaceae (3 subfamilies)

  a. Lilieae

  Tulipa Gagea Fritillaria Lilium Ornithogalum Allium Hyacinthus Asphodelus Aloë

  b. Melanthieae

  Colchicum Veratrum Tofieldia

  c. Smilaceae

  Paris Convallaria Asparagus Smilax

  2. Amaryllidaceae p. 35

  Galanthus Leucojum Narcissus Agave

  3. Juncaceae p. 35

  4. Iridaceae p. 35

  5. Haemodoraceae p. 35

  6. Dioscoreaceae p. 35

  7. Bromeliaceae p. 35

  ordo II. Enantioblastae p. 35

  ordo III. Spadiciflorae p. 36

  ordo IV. Glumiflorae p. 36

  ordo V. Scitamineae p. 38

  ordo VI. Gynandreae p. 38