11 Subspecies, Variety and Hybrid

After the two-name system was developed, it was found that even some species needed to be separated into varieties or subspecies.

Sometimes you will come across extra parts to names. Their purpose is to provide more information about a plant, ensuring that the correct name is attached to the correct plant anywhere in the world. Some of these extra names include:

• Subspecies: A species is divided into a subspecies when its character varies across a large geographical range. It is written “subsp.”  or “ssp.”  For example Syzygium forte subsp. Forte

Example: Eucalyptus leucoxylon is found from Queensland to South Australia. In Victoria and South Australia it is identified as Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. megalocarpa while Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata is from Queensland.

• Variety: A variety is a group of individuals with ecological, local or morphological differences. Written “var.”

Example: Ceriops tagal var. australis produces cylindrical seedlings while Ceriops tagal var. tagal produces ridged seedlings.

• Hybrid: A hybrid is the result of interbreeding or cross-fertilisation of related species (usually within the same Genus, or infrequently, between Genera). Written “spp.”

Example:  Eucalyptus spp. Not to be confused with “sp.” as this denotes that the plant has not been identified to species level. Tomatoes are a classic hybrid which we consume in our everyday life.

The botanical name for a common supermarket variety of tomato: Solanum lycopersicum ssp Apollo

Some plants have only been keyed out to a species level, and are written with  “sp.” Sometimes you will see written (for example) Codieum sp.