What is a cultivated variety of a plant called?

A cultivated variety of a plant is referred to as a cultivar. This term specifically denotes a plant that has been selectively bred and maintained through cultivation for particular characteristics, such as flower color, growth habits, or disease resistance. Cultivars are typically propagated to preserve those desirable traits and ensure consistency in future generations of plants.

The distinction of a cultivar lies in its intentional breeding for specific attributes, which sets it apart from naturally occurring varieties or subspecies. This term is commonly used in horticulture and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of human intervention in the plant's development.

In contrast, while hybrids represent the offspring of two different plant species or varieties, and clones refer to genetically identical copies of a single plant, cultivars focus on cultivated selections that may or may not involve hybridization. The term variety, while similar, tends to describe a naturally occurring, stable group within a species, rather than one that has been specifically cultivated for particular traits.