'species'

I just got an ipomoea and the variety was 'species.' I've noticed this on other plants as well. What does it mean? Thanks!

It probably means they don't know what species it is... it's a morning glory (ipomoea) but the species or variety is unknown. It's some sort of morning glory species..... does that make sense??

Makes sense to me...thanks!

I don't do flowers, so may be out of line, but "species" and "variety" are not the same things.

Plants are divided into families, genus, and species, with the last two usually given together. So, if the label reads "Ipomoea species" it would mean it's the genus Ipomoea, and the species is unknown.

Variety (flower people usually call them "cultivars") is a subcategory within the species. Bontanically it means that it is that species, but shows distinct characteristics. For instance, one may have all blue flowers, the other blue & white. But genetically they are very close (almost a match) otherwise.

By and large, varieties within a species can cross pollinate, but varieties from different species cannot.

Thanks Brook, that sure helps me understand. I made a "D" in Botany so have to learn what I missed while I was busy getting an education.

hopefully Peter's web page can help explain the difference ... http://www.dwsn.fsnet.co.uk/Whats%20in%20a%20name.HTM hth

Oh MaVie, that is great but you know what? It makes my head spin now just like it did 30 years ago. Guess I will have to stay with this one grows in the sun and that likes the shade, etc.

take ur time and it will sink in. nothing happens over night LOL! just like the plants we grow, we have to patient tend to it before it gives us the pleasure of enjoying the beauty of the plant. i am sure, u will learn a lot from Peter's web site, as i have learned from his patient mentoring. be sure to bookmark cause i know u will be back again, like i do. too bad Peter is no longer with us here @ DG :(!

Weeds,

It can all be a bit overwhelming. But after awhile it just sticks; especially if you hang out here for any length of time.

Herbalist Steven Foster has a nice way of simplifying the categories, and making them understandable.

Think about cars. The all fall into a Family called "automobiles." Everything within that family is related in certain ways. Next go down to brands. Chevy, for instance, or Honda. That would be the genus. Everything within that catagory is related in a closer manner. Next go to the model, i.e., Accord. That is the species, and everything within that group is related even more closely.

As with plants, members of the automobile family are always discussed with both the genus and species names. Thus, we say Honda Accord.

Carrying his analogy further, we could look at colors as the variety or cultivar. Everything within the genus/species group is precisely the same except for the variety. Thus, you might have a red Honda Accord, and I have a white one. They are the same species, you see, but different varieties.

WOW!!! Did that ever help me!!! Thanx for passing the analogy along!

that helped me a ton too Brook, thanks!

THanks Brook, that sure helps!

Nothing like something you can relate to to put things in perspective.

Also, consider this. It isn't the category breakdown that's confusing you, so much as the use of Latin. Let's face it, that's pretty intimidating. But don't let it throw you. Pretty quick you'll learn the families, genus, and species that interest you. And you don't have to worry about the rest.

Then, too, think of it this way. If we wrote "Lexus Infinity" in italics, it would be pretty unfamiliar the first time you saw it. But it wouldn't intimidate you. Nor should the Latin.

And the cost is different too! Just watch some time...Buy a sweet potato vine and it's $2.95 but buy a Ipomoea batatas and it's $7.95!

That is a very good way to explain it Brook...if you're not, you should be a teacher!

Brook

Excellent explaination!

Dale

LOL as I explained to an assistant some years ago who complained about her wages to me, I'm paid for what I know just as much as for what I do ;)

>I'm paid for what I know just as much as for what I do ;)<

Reminds me of the guy who called a TV (that's "telly" to you, Baa) repair man. The repair man looked at the set, checked a few settings, then kicked the side of the console. The TV worked fine after that, and he presented a bill for $75.

"Seventy five dollars!" the guy exclaimed. "Just for kicking the set?"

"Not at all," replied the repair man. "It's only five bucks to kick the set. But it's seventy for knowing _where_ to kick it."

LOL Brook yes that sounds about right *G*