cultivarvarieties

Cultivar varieties, or cultivars, are plant lines that have been selected and cultivated for distinct traits and are propagated to preserve those characteristics. A cultivar is a cultivated variety that is proven to be stable, uniform, and true to type under normal growing conditions. Cultivars are created to enhance features such as flower color, fruit quality, disease resistance, or growth habit, and they are maintained through propagation methods that reproduce the exact genotype.

Naming and standards are governed to ensure clear identification. Cultivar names are typically non-Latin and placed in quotation marks, distinct from the Latin species name that appears in scientific nomenclature. For example, Rosa 'Peace' or Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherry Gold'. The distinct, uniform, and stable (DUS) criteria are used to judge new cultivars, ensuring they express stable traits across generations and environments.

Origins and propagation methods vary. Cultivars arise from selection of natural or induced variation, hybridization, or clonal (vegetative) selection. Some are seed-propagated and may show variation, while most desirable cultivars are propagated vegetatively (cuttings, grafting, tissue culture) to maintain uniformity. Seed-propagated cultivars often require careful selection to retain trait consistency.

Registration and protection are common in commercial horticulture. Many countries maintain registries or breeder-right systems to protect new cultivar names and investments. Registration helps prevent name duplication and supports licensing or sale of propagating material. Cultivar names may be protected by Plant Breeders’ Rights or similar plant-variety protections.

Applications span ornamental gardening, fruit and vegetable production, and forestry. Well-known cultivars include apple varieties such as 'Golden Delicious' and 'Granny Smith', rose cultivars like 'Peace', and tulip cultivars such as 'Apeldoorn'.