SPECIES
refers to a group of similar organisms that are able to reproduce. This is part of how scientists classify, meaning to organize or compare living things. We are a species as humans, and so are dogs! There are many native plant species. Usually sold by native plant nurseries.
e.g. Banksia integrifolia
CULTIVAR
is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture, or carefully controlled seed production. CULTIVARS do not occur naturally in the wild. They require human intervention to reproduce. Commercial nurseries usually sell cultivars. e.g. Banksia integrifolia ‘Roller Coaster’
VARIETY
refers to a variation within a plant species that develops naturally in the environment. Unlike a cultivated plant, a variety does not require human intervention to grow and reproduce. Seeds from a specific variety will often grow true to type, meaning that their offspring will retain the parent plant’s unique characteristics. In the classification system of plant taxonomy, variety is a taxon that falls below species and subspecies in taxonomic rank.
e.g. Banksia integrifolia var. compar
Stephanie Haslam