Explain the difference between a cultivar and a species name, and provide an example.

Explain the difference between a cultivar and a species name, and provide an example.

• A. Cultivar is the scientific name; species is a common name.
• B. Species name is the scientific name (Malus domestica); cultivar is a human-selected variety with distinct traits (Malus domestica 'Granny Smith').
• C. Species name refers to plant family; cultivar to genus.
• D. Cultivar and species names are interchangeable.

Answer: (B)

Plants use a two-part scientific name for the species, plus an additional name to mark a cultivated variety. The species name is the formal scientific designation for the organism, here Malus domestica, which identifies the domesticated apple as a single species. A cultivar is a human-selected variety that has distinct, stable traits—such as flavor, color, or texture—that are maintained through propagation. This cultivar name follows the species name and is written in single quotes, for example Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'. This shows that the cultivar is not a separate species but a specific cultivated variety within the species, chosen and named by people for particular characteristics. The Granny Smith cultivar, therefore, is a distinct, recognizable version of Malus domestica, maintained by reproducing the same plant to preserve its traits.