What is the difference between a species and a cultivar?

The distinction between a species and a cultivar lies primarily in their definitions and purposes within the context of plant classification and cultivation. A cultivar, which is short for "cultivated variety," is a specific selection of a species that has been selectively bred or cultivated for particular characteristics, such as improved aesthetics, disease resistance, or suitability for specific environments, such as golf courses. This indicates that cultivars have been intentionally altered or managed by humans to enhance certain traits, making them distinct from the broader classification of species.

While species serves as a broader category that includes all plants that can interbreed and typically share common characteristics, cultivars are more specialized and may include hybrids or selections that excel in particular conditions or usages. This specificity regarding the purpose of cultivars, especially in regulated environments like golf courses, clarifies why the statement about cultivars being cultivated specifically for these uses is accurate and highlights the relationship between human intervention and plant development.

The other options do not accurately capture the nuances of this difference. The statement suggesting a species as a general type of plant does not provide enough specificity, while the assertion about reproduction doesn’t accurately delineate the constraints between species and cultivar. Additionally, it isn’t always true that cultivars are hybrids; many cultivars