A single kind of plant or animal.
Linnaean unit of plant classification; group of populations of similar morphology and constant distinctive characters, thought to be capable of interbreeding and producing offspring.
A taxonomic category subordinate to a genus (or subgenus) and superior to a subspecies or variety, composed of individuals possessing common characters distinguishing them from other categories of individuals of the same taxonomic level. In taxonomic nomenclature, species are designated by the genus name followed by a Latin or Latinized adjective or noun.
A single type (taxonomic group) or organism as determined by the distinguishing characteristics used for the particular group of life forms (e.g., the horse is one species among the mammals).
Plants which are genetically similar and breed true from seed.
All the plants of one kind having common attributes and the potential for interbreeding. In a plant’s Latin name, such as Chenopodium album, the species is designated by the second term, which is almost always uncapitalized—in this case, album. Many related species constitute a genus. Within a species, there may be several natural or horticultural varieties.
A group of related varieties or often a single unit.
An inflourescence in which main axis is elongated and flowers are sessile.
The individuals of a genus having special characters belonging to themselves and no other known plant.
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile young. This applies better to animals than to plants, however, since plants hybridize rather easily if they are very closely related. The species name is an adjective modifying the genus name, it is always Latinized and in lower case, i.e., Piper guanacastense (Piper of Guanacaste).
A taxonomic group representing a population of individuals that have numerous morphological characteristics in common and whose DNA is highly similar; usually considered capable of interbreeding.
Unit of classification, consisting of a group of populations with similar morphology and constant distinctive characters, usually capable of interbreeding and producing offspring (although there are many other definitions).
A basic grouping of organisms, ranked below, for example, family and genus.
A population of wild plants which are sufficiently alike to carry the same name, and which will freely breed with one another to give rise to offspring like themselves The honor of naming a species goes to the scientist who discovers or describes it.
Plants that are genetically similar and breed true from seeds; also fungi and animals which interbreed and have distinctive traits.
A group of closely related individuals.
A group of living things with the same characteristics and which can interbreed.
The original species from which cultivars and varieties are derived; the fundamental unit of biological classification.
A population of wild plants which are sufficiently alike to carry the same name, and which will freely breed with one another to give rise to offspring like themselves. The honor of naming a species goes to the scientist who discovers or describes it.
One member of a biological genus, the specific name (e.g. typhi) being coupled with the generic title to give, for example. Salmonella typhi. Species are divided (if at all) only into variants— e.g., Klebsiella edwardsii variant atlantae.
The smallest unit used in the classification of living organisms. Members of the same species are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Similar species are grouped together within one genus.
A medicine that has properties especially useful for the treatment of a particular disease.
In biology, a category of classification for living organisms. This group is just below the genus and is usually capable of interbreeding.
The basic unit of biological classification, a group of individual organisms with similar characteristics that can interbreed and usually cannot, or do not, breed with other species; species are grouped into genera. The species is denoted by the second word(s) in the scientific name.
The fundamental units of classification, occasionally referred to, albeit inaccurately, as ‘varieties.’ Species are distinct and well-defined entities, although they can display variation and interbreed among their own kind.