Understanding Plant Types (Taxonomy)

Have you ever found yourself entangled in the web of plant labels like 'cultivar', 'hybrid', or 'variety', as if piecing together a botanical jigsaw puzzle? Trust me, you're not alone—I’ve experienced that same confusion.

Despite my enthusiasm as a self-proclaimed plant geek, I used to stumble over understanding the intricate hierarchy of these botanical terms.

Recently, while planning this year's garden, I faced an existential moment, pondering the implications of choosing between straight native species and native cultivars. How might these choices affect my backyard ecosystem? What truly distinguishes cultivars from their wild ancestors—and why does it matter?

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In order to better understand this terminology, here's a helpful guide. Let’s think about this botanical nomenclature puzzle in terms of music.

↵↳ Genus:

• A grouping of plants that can include straight species, subspecies, cultivars, varieties, and hybrids
• It's the first word in a plant's name, i.e. Rosa canina (Dog Rose) is in the Rosa genus
• Music Analogy: A genre, like disco music
• Example: Coreopsis tinctoria, Coreopsis lanceolata, and Coreopsis grandiflora are three plant species in the Coreopsis genus

🌼 Straight Species (Wild Type):

• AKA Genotype, this is the original main species found in nature and are an ecological baseline
• Music Analogy: The original studio version of a song
  • The original studio version of the song is the definitive recording that all other version are based on
• Contribute to local biodiversity and interact naturally within ecosystems without human interference (Vogt, Becker)
• Example: A wild brassica found in nature (Wikipedia)

📍Subspecies (Localized Wild Type):

• Still a wild type within the same species, but with unique characteristics that show up within a smaller region
• Music Analogy: This is like a live performance  of a song, maybe a bootleg version recorded at a particular arena.
  • There's unique energy present in a live concert
• Subspecies adapt to local environments and interact with native pollinators (Vogt, Dyck)
• Example: Rosa Nutkana subsp.

🌈 Variety (Natural Within Same Species):

• A naturally-occurring cross between two plants within the same species
• Music Analogy: Like the radio edit of a song,
  • Minor adjustments while retaining the core essence of the song
• Varieties come from natural genetic variability, to fit into niche ecological roles (Dyck)
• Example: Brassica oleracea var. oleracea, aka wild cabbage, a variety that naturally develops a head-forming harvest ().

❓To add to the confusion, sometimes the words variety and subspecies are used interchangeably.

💐 Cultivars (Human Intervention With Same Species):

• A cross between two plants in the same species, intentionally created by humans (not a wild type)
• Music Analogy: Like a cover of the song
  • Another musician adds their own spin
• Cultivars are bred for specific traits, often prioritizing aesthetics or unique growth habits over ecological function (Dyck, Becker)
• Example: Brassica oleracea ‘Romanesco’ - a cultivar of cauliflower with fractal patterns (Wikipedia).‍

🏵️ Nativar (Native Plant Altered By Humans):

• A cultivar that comes from a native plant species
• Music Analogy: Like a remastered version of a classic song.
  • It's the original song enhanced in some way to make it more appealing while still retaining its classic essence
• Nativars can retain some ecological benefits of the native plant, but is cultivated for specific traits like color or growth habits (Becker, Wild)

🔀 Hybrids (Cross Between Different Species):

• A cross between two plants in different species - n the landscape industry they are intentionally created by humans, but can occur naturally
• Music Analogy: Like a club version of a song that's been mixed with another track
• New aesthetic possibilities can hinder ecological functionality with modified floral traits (Dyck)
• Example: Brassica napus or rutabaga, a hybrid between Brassica oleracea (cabbage) and Brassica rapa (turnip) (Wikipedia).
  
  • (Different from a F1 hybrid, like Belstar Broccoli)

❓Note that veggie F1 hybrids are different - they’re human made, but usually within the same species.

Importance of Plant Type Distinctions in Gardening and Ecology

Understanding the distinctions between the different levels of botanical nomenclature is part academic exercise, part environmental stewardship. It really does influence the ecological balance of your garden. As we look at the impact of these choices on biodiversity, water conservation, and soil health, think about how each plant decision plays a role in broader ecosystem.

Ecological Balance and Biodiversity:

Native plants are a fool-proof way to add biodiversity to your backyard. Flowers, forbs, and shrubs that are endemic to your region have co-evolved with native fauna over millennia. Like good friends who grew up together, they've developed interdependent relationships.

The National Audubon Society highly recommends native plants as a top pick in landscaping projects - even ones that are ornamental in focus. While often there's a divide in the horticultural industry between "native plants" and "ornamental plants," if we change our perspective a bit, native plants provide so much beauty to our yards.

Not only are the plants themselves lovely, but the wildlife they attract is a sight to see, too. Since wild plants provide food and shelter to local pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and even mammals, you are essentially creating a sanctuary for these beneficial creatures when you select local straight species for your garden.

Biodiversity is not just about the number of species but also about the complexity and resilience of ecosystems. The Bureau of Land Management mentions how the biodiversity brought in by native plants helps create resilience against environmental changes. Local plants provide a buffer against climate fluctuations, pest invasions, and diseases. Gardens that mimic natural habitats can adapt more easily to changes, so they're more likely to last in the long-term. Which is what we want!

Pollinator and Bird Habitat:

It's a tale almost as old as time: plants rely on pollinators to reproduce, while pollinators depend on plants for food. As a vegetable gardener myself, I like to think of native plants as companion plants for my crops, since they bring in the pollinators needed for fruit production.

Did you know that not all pollen-laden plants are seen as equal in the eyes of your local bumble bees? According to the Xerces Society, some human-made cultivars may offer little to no benefit to pollinators. This is because many of these plants have been bred for human preferences, such as size, color, or scent, without regard to ecological function.

In fact, these alterations can reduce the availability or accessibility of nectar and pollen, critical resources for pollinators. For example, complex flower structures may prevent pollinators from reaching the nectar, rendering them ineffective as food sources.

The part that's kind of overwhelming to a regenerative gardener is that this all seems to vary from specie to specie, and the research on this topic is in need of expansion.

For example, as this Oregon State University article discusses, cultivars can bring disease resistance to cut down on pesticide use in conventional gardens, or offer prolonged blooming periods for cut flower gardens. But these cultivars might not attract pollinators as effectively as their wild-type counterparts.

The Mt. Cuba Center and Annie White are some resources to explore for understanding wildlife preferences between straight native species and cultivars.

Soil and Water Conservation:

Gardening choices also can make or break your goals with soil and water conservation. Luckily, native plants are inherently adapted to their local environments, so they require less intervention to thrive. The Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources highlights how these native plants help conserve water, reduce erosion, and improve soil fertility through their robust root systems, pivotal in sustainable gardening practices.

The National Wildlife Federation notes that native selections are also attuned to local rainfall patterns and soil conditions. Growing these plants in your garden is an effective way to use resources sustainably. You'll minimize reliance on water and fertilizers, which inevitably will mean you'll help maintain clean water sources.

This approach not only benefits the garden itself but also supports broader environmental goals, such as preserving local waterways and maintaining ecosystem health. It's a step along the path of being an environmental steward!

Further Reading

• Not sure what to grow? Check out Top Performers, a list of nativars and native plants that support pollinators best, according to studies done at Mt. Cuba Center.
• Looking for a list of plants for your region? Xerces Society offers a great resource with separate lists for states that have different geographic regions. This is important for states like New Mexico, where plants native to the Rocky Mountains area are different from the Southern Plains or the Sonoran Desert regions.
• Become a citizen scientist with the Budburst Nativars Research Project, where you can contribute your own observations on pollinator visitation to both nativars and native plants in your backyard.
• Worried about HOAs if you were to install a native habitat? State governments are now passing native landscaping acts to give you the right to support your local ecosystem in your own yard.

Key Takeaways: Understanding Plant Types

Botanical Nomenclature & Music Analogy:

• Genus: Like a musical genre; the first part of a plant's scientific name.
• Straight Species: The original version of a plant, akin to the studio version of a song.
• Subspecies: Variants within a species that adapt locally, much like a unique live concert recording.
• Variety: Naturally occurring within a species; similar to a radio edit of a song.
• Cultivar: Human-bred variants for specific traits, like a cover song.
• Nativar: Cultivars from native plants, parallel to a remastered classic.
• Hybrids: Cross-species plants; they can be compared to a musical remix.

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