One of the prime
systems of plant taxonomy, the
Engler system was devised by
Adolf Engler (1844–1930), and is featured in two major taxonomic texts he authored or coauthored. His influence is reflected in the use of the terms "Engler School" and "Engler Era". Engler's starting point was that of
Eichler who had been the first to use
phylogenetic principles, although Engler himself did not think that his was.