The variability of chemovars (or chemotypes) in plants can pose significant challenges in our modern supply chain when variability is not evaluated in identity testing methods.  Plants reflect their environment; factors like soil composition, temperature, water availability, and light influence their chemical expression.  The transition from wild collection to cultivation introduces additional variability, as agricultural practices such as irrigation, fertilization, and pest management can all influence secondary metabolite content. As they are exposed to different climatic conditions, these factors can lead to shifts in these chemical markers, which are used for identity.  Furthermore, the processing of the botanical material can introduce additional variation in the chemical expression of the product. This presentation will examine how the variability naturally presented in plants influences botanical identity. Variability presents in test samples, reference materials and methods. These differences can affect the consistency and reliability of High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) results and, consequently, the identity and quality control of plant-based products. Understanding the influence of environmental and cultivation factors in reference material, while leveraging method selection and accounting for sound statistical sampling, we can better characterize the results of botanical identity in the face of changing growing conditions and supply chain diversity. Understanding these factors is critical for ensuring the quality and identity of plant-derived products in a changing world.