Infraspecific taxon below the rank of subspecies and above that of form with one or several distinguishing characters, not geographically disjunct from other conspecific taxa.
A subdivision of a species ranking lower than a subspecies.
A plant that has minor but noticeable differences from the others of the same species, such as in a horticultural variety; any natural variation that does not constitute a separate species. Within a species, there may be several varieties.
The smallest taxon usually recognized.
Botanical taxonomic rank below species and subspecies. Also used as a legal term to describe a cultivar (plant variety).
A subdivision of a species or subspecies differing by only one to a few characters and genetic differences but generally not by ecological or geographic criteria.
Strictly speaking, a group of plants arising in the wild which though not sufficiently different from the norm of their species to be of great interest to botanists (they may only differ in flower color, for instance) are different enough to be of interest to gardeners. A variety is designated as, for instance, Buxus microphylla var. japonica, the var. being short for vanetas. Varieties created by gardeners are supposed to be called cultivars and not given Latin names.
A group of plants within a species that has a distinct range, habitat, or set of characteristics.
A naturally occurring variant of a species; below the level of subspecies in biological classification.
A term used in classifying individuals in a subpopulation of a species.
A subdivision of a species, that can arise naturally but is usually a cultivated form of a plant produced by vegetative (nonsexual) propagation.
The ingestion of assorted victuals from each category of comestibles is paramount for maintaining a wholesome and nourishing diet.