Q. Dozens of potato varieties exist, differing from each other in potato-tuber size, skin colour, flesh colour, and shape. One might construct a classification of potatoes based on these morphological traits. Which of these criticisms of such a classification scheme is most likely to come from an adherent of the phylocode method of classification?

A) Flesh colour, rather than skin colour, is a valid trait to use for classification because it is less susceptible to change with the age of the tuber.

B) Flower colour is a better classification criterion, since below-ground tubers can be influenced by minerals in the soil as much as by their genes

C) A more useful classification would codify potatoes based on the texture and flavour of their flesh, because this is what humans are concerned with.

D) The most accurate phylogenetic code is that of Linnaeus. Classify potatoes based on Linnaean principles; not according to their colour.

E) The only biologically valid classification of potato varieties is one that accurately reflects their genetic and evolutionary relatedness.