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T1.4 Subspecies, Varieties and Forma

These may be defined as naturally occurring ‘‘sub-divisions of a species, consisting of plants which differ in some heritable characters such as form, colour or season, from what is regarded as typical of the species.’’

Study of any species identifies variation within that species. Identification of subspecies, varietas (or more commonly ‘‘variety’’) or forma is the recognition of this variation by name. The tree, Sorbus domestica has a variant with apple-shaped fruits, Sorbus domestica maliformis. The addition of the third word within the name, not only identifies the plant but also, in this instance, describes the particular characteristic of this variety. For the botanists there are reasons to identify subspecies, varieties or forma, but for plant specification purposes, they can be broadly considered to be the same.

Subspecies, varieties and forma are not common in commercial, amenity horticulture. These are identified by the third word within the name which, in the case of subspecies, varieties or forma is written in lower case letters when a combination of upper and lower case is used. Usually the qualification within the name, e.g. variety (var.) subspecies (subsp.) or forma (f.) is not included.

e.g. Sorbus domestica maliformis

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