Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Malaria is caused by various species of the genus Plasmodium. The severity of the fever and complications depends on the specific species involved.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
There are four species that cause human malaria: P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. falciparum.
Malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal due to complications like cerebral malaria.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Plasmodium falciparum.