Cultivarnaam

Cultivarnaam is a term that refers to the specific name given to a cultivated variety of a plant. This name is distinct from the botanical name, which refers to the species or subspecies. Cultivarnaam is used to identify plants that have been selected or bred for particular desirable characteristics such as flower color, fruit size, disease resistance, or growth habit. These names are typically given by the plant breeder or propagator and are often descriptive or evocative.

The system of naming cultivated varieties, known as cultivar nomenclature, is governed by international codes of nomenclature. The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) provides the rules and recommendations for naming cultivars. A cultivar name is usually written in a local language, not in Latin, and is typically enclosed in single quotation marks. For example, the well-known rose variety 'Peace' is a cultivar of Rosa 'Gloria Dei'.

The purpose of cultivar names is to ensure clear and unambiguous identification of specific plant types within a species. This is crucial for commercial horticulture, plant breeding, and home gardening. Without cultivar names, it would be difficult to consistently propagate and trade plants with specific traits. Many common garden plants, fruits, and vegetables are known primarily by their cultivar names rather than their species names.