sp. or species

In botanical nomenclature, "sp." an abbreviation for "kind" or "Species".

If an individual - in our case, for example, an anthurium - cannot be clearly assigned to a determined or recognized species, the abbreviation is "sp." or "spec." is used to indicate that a previously unknown species may be present. The determination is made based on the knowledge and understanding of the person looking and can also mean that the skills and circumstances are not sufficient to make a more detailed determination. For the sake of simplicity, one uses then this name.
So: not every plant that has been given the abbreviation is a new species.

In order to maintain a certain overview and differentiate between individuals, additional names and aids are also used. Two well-known anthuriums that fall into this scheme are the A. sp. Nov. Darién and A. sp. Nov. DF . The latter initials " DF " form the abbreviation for the discoverer of the plant " Dewey Fisk " and Darién is a province, i.e. the place where this sp. nova was found.

The abbreviation can also be used to generally refer to the genus in question, without wanting or having to name more precise species.