Aphnology is the study of the development and growth of plants. Synonyms for aphnology include botany, phytology, floristics, plant biology, and plant science. Botany is the most commonly used synonym and refers to the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, and classification. Phytology is another synonym for aphnology and deals with the study of the life cycle of plants and their relationship with the environment. Floristics is the study of the distribution and composition of plant communities, while plant biology is the study of plant life processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Plant science pertains to the scientific study of plants, including their genetics, ecology, and evolution.