Final answer:
Subvarieties and forms in botany are subdivisions within a species to categorize slight variations, like the tree-like ferns and aquatic ferns that have special adaptations. These are part of the Linnaean taxonomic system, by which species like Felis catus (house cat) and Acer rubra (red maple) are classified. The notion of a single species can encompass microspecies with subtle differences, such as the clonal variations in Taraxacum officinale.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biological nomenclature, especially in the field of botany, the terms subvariety and form refer to further subdivisions within a species that are used to categorize organisms showing slight but consistently inherited variations from the typical specimens.
For instance, in the tropics, tree-like ferns that resemble palms and cycads are examples of species that have adapted into forms best suited for their environment. They bear an above ground, vertically oriented stem, growing up to 2 m in height. Another distinctive form within the ferns is found in Marsilea, a genus that has species mimicking the appearance of four-leaf clovers, and aquatic ferns that resemble plants like duckweed by floating on the water's surface.
Within the framework of the Linnaean taxonomic system, developed by Carl Linnaeus, each organism is classified with a two-part Latin name, consisting of the genus followed by the species. For example, the house cat is called Felis catus, while the red maple tree is known as Acer rubra. In certain cases, what is considered a single species, such as the asexual dandelion Taraxacum officinale, can actually be composed of several 'microspecies' that represent an assemblage of clonal populations.