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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #383319
Research Project: Systematics, Nomenclature, and Genetic Diversity of Priority Genera of Woody Landscape Plants

Location: Floral and Nursery Plants Research

Title: International registration of cultivar names for unassigned woody genera: December 2016-January 2021

Author
item Lura, Stefan
item Whittemore, Alan

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2021
Publication Date: 7/9/2021
Citation: Lura, S.B., Whittemore, A.T. 2021. International registration of cultivar names for unassigned woody genera December 2016-January 2021. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15914-21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15914-21

Interpretive Summary: Accurate cultivar nomenclature is important in all areas of horticulture, since plant material is normally recorded, tracked, and distributed by its name. Misnamed plant material may not have the characteristics that consumers expect, and inconsistent or mistaken application of cultivar names can result in wasted investment by growers and loss of confidence by consumers. Staff at the US National Arboretum serve as the Registrar for Unassigned Woody Plants, in collaboration with the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, registering cultivar names for new releases and clarifying the correct application of established names for many genera of nursery trees and shrubs. This publication provides information on new cultivar registrations for several genera of woody plants that have been made over a three year period. In addition, review of records from previous registrars revealed several registrations that were never completed through formal publication, and that is provided here. A total of thirty cultivar registrations is validated here. This publication will ensure that horticulturists are aware of recent releases, that names in use are well founded and their application is clearly defined, and that information on their origins and characteristics are available to horticulturists. This information will be used by both academic and commercial horticulturists to ensure that plant names are applied in an accurate and consistent manner.

Technical Abstract: Between December 2016 and January 2021, a total of 14 cultivar epithets were newly registered with the International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA) for Unassigned Woody Genera. In addition, 14 earlier but apparently unpublished registrations accepted by the former ICRAs for Viburnum and Unassigned Woody Genera were discovered; those registrations are completed here through formal publication. Most of these names do not yet have standard specimens. We are working to obtain good herbarium specimens for many of these cultivars, and standards will be designated when we have suitable material.