A species is the basic unit of biological classification: a group of organisms that share consistent characteristics and can naturally reproduce with one another. In gardening and botany, the term usually refers to a naturally occurring plant rather than a cultivated selection or hybrid. Species names are written using binomial nomenclature, with the genus first and the species second, such as Monstera deliciosa or Quercus rubra.
Species plants often show more genetic variation than named cultivars because they have not been selectively stabilized for specific traits. Seed-grown species may differ in leaf shape, size, growth habit, or flower color, while cultivars are typically propagated to remain uniform. Species are commonly used in native plant gardening, ecological restoration, and plant breeding.
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