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Cultivated News Issue 1 ■ July 2013

Cultivating co‑operation Cultivated is a diverse discipline that, to a greater or lesser degree, affects aspects of plant registration, crop testing, collection curation, academic study, publishing, , retail, legislative enforcement and gardening. Its influence is pervasive in the landscape we inhabit, the materials we use and the food we eat.

The wide-ranging impact of cultivated plant taxonomy should be one of its great strengths, but a failure of a mechanism for facilitating co- Above, clockwise from top workers in the field to maintain lines of ordinated communication and activity left. Citrus × aurantium, a communication and look for areas of still wanting. This, the first edition of whose selections common ground and opportunities to Cultivated Plant Taxonomy News (CPT include ‘Ugli’, ‘Seville’, share resources has left the discipline News), is an attempt to meet that need. ‘Valencia’, and ‘Navel’, disorganised, little understood and from an 1822 aquatint seriously undervalued. CPT News is provided by Hortax by Angiolini (RHS, (The Horticultural Taxonomy Group, Lindley Library); The Sixth International Symposium www.hortax.org.uk) which this year Orange Delight gx, one on the Taxonomy of Cultivated , celebrates its 25th birthday. The Group of more than 150,000 to be hosted in Beijing this July, offers previously produced a newsletter, grexes in the RHS Orchid a wonderful opportunity to discuss Hortax News, and, particularly through Register (RHS / Carol ideas, collaborate and take stock its website and online forum, seeks Sheppard); Magnolia of progress, but it is vital that the to provide an educational resource × loebneri ‘Merrill’, a acknowledgement of common intent and further the taxonomic study from Arnold and momentum generated by such of cultivated plants. Over the years Arboretum, Massachusetts a gathering is not permitted to fade Hortax has remained constantly (RHS / Carol Sheppard). after the Closing Address. active and committed to its purpose and central message: that botanically, It was from such a laudable ambition culturally, ecologically and legally, as this that the International cultivated plant taxonomy . Association for Cultivated Plant Taxonomy was born six years ago ■ If you would like to submit at the Fifth International Symposium, material for inclusion in the next but the organisation stagnated CPT News, contact James Armitage and faltered, leaving the need for ([email protected]). HORTAX horticultural taxonomy group CPT News ■

nomenclature, has now been published and, along with the six previous News in brief volumes, is available online (www. rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/ Journals/Hanburyana). Volume Seven Draft EU Regulation contains four papers proposing amendments to the International Code on Plant Propagating of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants Material Agreed as well as other articles on a range of taxonomic subjects.

On 6 May 2013 a draft Regulation was HanburyanaA serial for horticultural taxonomy and nomenclature adopted by the Commission reviewing EU legislation on the marketing of Daffodils on the and plant propagating material (SPPM). This Regulation has been Agenda at Monocot drafted with the intention of granting Conference more responsibility and flexibility to businesses, to streamline administrative Monocots V, the 5th International

procedures, enhance RHS, LINDLEY LIBRARY Conference on Comparative VOLUME SEVEN JULY 2013 and steer plant breeding towards of (New York Botanic environmental aims. It has far-reaching Garden, 8–12 July 2013), will host a consequences for those dealing with Above. Hanburyana special Symposium on the cultivated plants in the European Union. Volume 7, which has just and population biology of Narcissus. The draft Regulation can be viewed been published by the RHS online (http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_ Science Dept, includes consumer/pressroom/docs/proposal_ several proposals to New CPVO Guidelines aphp_en.pdf) and further information amend the ICNCP as well can be found here (http://ec.europa.eu/ as papers on the Korean with Explanatory food/plant/plant_propagation_material/ willow-leaved spicebush, Notes Produced review_eu_rules/index_en.htm). Magnolia × pruhoniciana, and a new hybrid in The guidelines and notes issued to Cytisus. Below. Geranium help those applying for European Hanburyana Vol. 7 Rozanne (‘Gerwat’), a 2000 Plant Rights to formulate a introduction protected suitable name have been extended The latest volume of Hanburyana, the by Plant Breeders’ rights. (www.cpvo.europa.eu/documents/lex/ journal of horticultural taxonomy and Photo. RHS / Tim Sandall. guidelines/VD_Guidelines_explanatory_ note_EN.pdf). Denominations which misleadingly suggest a relationship to a pre-existing cultivar are considered unacceptable and other changes relate to the number of letters’ difference required in for denominations to be judged distinct.

New RHS Head of Science Appointed Dr Alistair Griffiths has been appointed the new Head of Science at the Royal Horticultural Society. Alistair’s } 2 ■ July 2013

Recent Publications in Cultivated Plant Taxonomy

The last year has seen the release of a wealth of new titles relevant to the taxonomy of cultivated plants. Below is a selection of some of the most significant.

Ashburner, K. & McAllister, H. (2012). The Betula: a Taxonomic Revision. Kew Publishing: London.

Auders, A. G. & Spicer, D. P. (2012). The RHS Encyclopedia of (2 vols). Kingsblue Publishing Ltd: Cyprus. | previous role was as Above. KAVB have Horticultural Science Curator published a new list Cribb, P. & Frosch, W. (2012). at the Eden Project in Cornwall of Galanthus cultivar Hardy Cypripedium: , and his PhD was on the role names (see panel, right). Hybrids and Cultivation. Kew of ex situ management in the Clockwise from top left. Publishing: London. conservation of the critically G. nivalis f. pleniflorus endangered Seychelles endemic ‘Flore Pleno’, G. ‘Cornwood Hay, A., Gottschalk, M. & Holguin, Impatiens gordonii. He has Gem’, G. ‘Jacquenetta’, A. (2012). Huanduj: Brugmansia. stated a strong commitment to G. ‘Primrose Warburg’. Kew Publishing: London. horticultural taxonomy. Photos. Tim Sandall. Mathew, B. (ed.) (2013). Genus Cyclamen: Science, Cultivation, Art Tributes Paid Following Death of and Culture. Kew Publishing and Dr James Cullen The Cyclamen Society: London. Principal Editor of The European Pigott, D. (2012). Lime- and Garden James Cullen passed Basswoods. Cambridge University away on 11 May 2013 aged 77. James Press: Cambridge. was Assistant Regius Keeper at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh Riffle, R. L., Craft, P. & Zona, S. from 1972 to 1989 where the focus (2012). Encyclopedia of Cultivated of his work was on Rhododendron Palms (2nd ed.). Timber Press: classification. He was author of The Portland, Oregon. Orchid Book (1992), Handbook of North European Garden Plants (2001) Van Dijk, H. & Snoeijer, W. (2013). and Hardy Rhododendron Species Galanthus: a list of cultivar names. (2005) and his contribution to the KAVB Royal General Bulbgrowers’ advancement of cultivated plant Association: Netherlands. taxonomy was immense. (Photo: CUBG.) HORTAX 3 horticultural taxonomy group CPT News ■ Plant Heritage Current projects

Plant Heritage’s focus in its 35th year is on two major projects: the Threatened Plants Project (TPP), which is four years old this year, and the revision of requirements for holding National Plant Collections agreed last year and to be implemented during 2013/14.

Formerly the Threatened Plants NCCPG, Plant Project Heritage is The TPP provides a means of based in the UK evaluating the rarity and conservation Above. Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Harlow and aims to be value of and has now Carr’. Photo. RHS / Carol Sheppard. Right. recognised as the assessed the conservation status of ‘Princess’. Photo. RHS / Carol foremost charity cultivars in 240 genera. More than Sheppard. Below. Dahlia ‘Twyning’s dealing with the 6000 threatened cultivars have been Smartie’. Photo. RHS / Tim Sandall. identified to date, half of which are held conservation of in National Plant Collections. cultivated plants. Here, Plant Work is also progressing on integrating aspects of the project into our Conservation collections assessment and recruitment Officer Mercy processes, thus providing a means of Morris provides guiding potential collection holders to an update of the genera, species, or groups of plants most in need of conservation. organisation’s present activities The TPP also allows garden and future curators to assess the value of their aspirations. collections from a conservation perspective. This consists of identifying, from the genera assessed to date, those plants that are most under threat and helps inform decision- making and resource allocation when replanting or planning propagation.

New Requirements

The requirements for National Plant Collections have remained largely } 4 ■ July 2013

| unchanged since collections were first invited into the scheme in 1981. To allow for a greater degree of flexibility and provide a clear focus on conservation, Plant Heritage will change the way it assesses new collections.

In addition to this a new scheme will be introduced, whereby members can conserve single plants or groups of threatened plants (level of threat Above. A nomenclatural determined by the TPP), which will be standard specimen of Geum registered centrally. It is hoped that this ‘Bell Bank’ (left), once almost will provide a searchable resource lost to cultivation, but now of plant material to augment an important garden plant. both the National Collections Photo. RHS / Carol Sheppard. and the TPP.

Future plans

To continue to work on international cooperation with counterparts in France (CCVS), Germany (Netzwerk Pflanzensammlungen), the Netherlands (SNPC & NPC), USA (NAPCC) and (GPCA).

HORTAX 5 horticultural taxonomy group CPT News ■

Watercress

The beneficial dietary and medicinal DUS testing properties of watercress have been known for thousands of years. The first commercial production was developed begins for during the 16th century in Erfurt, Germany but it wasn’t until 1808 that an ancient large-scale growing took place in the UK when William Bradbury constructed vegetable watercress beds at Springhead in Kent (Spencer, 1995). Today, watercress is still produced in Kent but other areas crop of production include Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. In the 2011 and Lesley McCarthy of Science and 2012 season 65ha of watercress were Above. Young plants of Advice for Scottish Agriculture grown, representing 0.05% of the total watercress ‘John Hurd’s (SASA) discusses the development field vegetable production in the UK 98 Special’. Photo. SASA. of a procedure for DUS testing of (Defra, 2012). an ancient crop that is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Of the five white-flowered species in the genus Nasturtium, it is the two- row watercress, Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton, and the one-row watercress, N. microphyllum (Boenn. ex Rchb.) Rchb., that are principally found in cultivation. A natural hybrid, N. × sterile (Airy Shaw) Oefelein, occurs between } 6 ■ July 2013

Left. Beds of watercress at Chalke Valley Watercress Farm, Wiltshire. In 2011–2012, 65ha of watercress were grown in the UK. Photo. RHS / Tim Sandall. Below. Watercress ‘Old Flame’. Photo. SASA.

| these two species, and, as the name allowed them to revise suggests, is mostly sterile, so requires the DUS characteristics vegetative propagation. Triploid hybrids used for assessing also exist within the genus. distinctness and compile Watercress is the latest of 16 vegetable the only and three agricultural crops to be guideline grown in trials at Science and Advice currently for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) for the available purpose of establishing Distinctness, for testing Uniformity and Stability (DUS) in new watercress – the cultivars. The aim of the test, once United successfully completed, is to allow National List/PBR the registration of new cultivars onto Technical Protocol a National List or for the award of UK for the official Examination References Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR). In the of DUS (www.fera.defra.gov.uk/ case of PBR the new cultivar must plants/plantVarieties/nationalListing/ Defra (2012). Basic meet the extra condition of being documents/protocolWatercressDUS12. Horticultural novel. Examination of DUS at SASA pdf). This work has established Statistics 2012. is also conducted on behalf of the a process for the examination Spreadsheet of European Community Plant Variety of watercress cultivars currently Statistics Table 11 Rights Office (CPVO). undergoing DUS testing which include (www.defra.gov.uk/ two applications from CPVO and one statistics/foodfarm/ There are currently two watercress for UK PBR. landuselivestock/ cultivars that have UK PBR. These are bhs) ‘John Hurd’s 98 Special’ and the purple- Despite its long history of cultivation, leaved ‘Old Flame’; the latter began the the area given over to growing Spencer, C. (1995). examination for DUS at SASA in 2008. watercress in the UK remains small. The Vegetable Book. At this Niall Green and George However, the current resurgence in its Conran Campbell sourced reference collection popularity as a vegetable crop and the Limited, London. material and grew a broad range recent increase in DUS applications of watercress accessions to discern suggests it may be showing the green the variation within characters. This of revival. HORTAX 7 horticultural taxonomy group CPT News ■ Registration Online Checklist of Changes to ICRAs

Australian Cultivars There have been some significant Launched changes to the list of ICRAs as given in Appendix I of the Cultivated Plant The Australian Cultivar Registration Code (Directory of International Authority has been registering Cultivar Registration Authorities) and Australian native plant cultivars for over these will be reflected in changes to 50 years and has now succeeded in the web pages on the ISHS website making available a web resource that (www.ishs.org/nomenclature-and- will greatly facilitate the study of these cultivar-registration/icra). A list of new plants. The Checklist of Australian Plant Registrars is given below and further Cultivars Project provides a single changes to contact details can be website which can be used to research found on the Hortax website (www. all Australian plant cultivar names, their hortax.org.uk/changes-to-icras.html). descriptions, and places of first publication (www.anbg.gov.au/ ASTILBE [Lakeland Horticultural acra/apni-cultivars.html). Society]. New Registrar: John Ashley, Lakeland Horticultural Society ([email protected]) New Salix AUSTRALIAN CULTIVAR Registrar REGISTRATION AUTHORITY. New The International Poplar Registrar: Paul Carmen (acra@anbg. Commission (IPC) has taken gov.au) on responsibility for all Salix cultivars (both ornamental BOUGAINVILLEA [Indian Agricultural and those developed for other Research Institute]. New Registrar: Dr T. uses such as biomass crops). Janakiram, Indian Agricultural Research Their Registrar will be Prof. Institute (IARI) ([email protected] or Julia Kuzovkina (jkuzovkina@ [email protected]) uconn.edu). She is based at the University of Connecticut, BRUGMANSIA, DATURA [American 1376 Storrs Road Unit 4067, Brugmansia & Datura Society, Inc.]. Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut New Registrar: Helmut J. Posch 06269-4067, USA. The IPC will ([email protected]). The ICRA name continue to deal with is now The International Brugmansia & cultivars of Populus, for which Datura Society, Inc. Prof. Kuzovkina is now also now the International Registrar. COPROSMA, HEBE, LEPTOSPERMUM, PHORMIUM & PITTOSPORUM [Royal New Zealand Institute of ]. New Registrar: Murray Dawson, Right. Salix fargesii. Photo. Landcare Research, New Zealand RHS / Carol Sheppard. ([email protected])

8 ■ July 2013

HEMEROCALLIS [American Right. A depiction of a Hemerocallis Society]. New Registrar: Prunus mume cultivar Kevin P. Walek, 102 Manahoac Court, on the cover of an early Lake Frederick, Virginia 22630-2097, 20th century nursery USA catalogue. Photo. RHS, Lindley Library. IRIS [American Iris Society]. New Registrars: John I. Jones & Joanne Prass-Jones ([email protected])

LAGERSTROEMIA [United States National Arboretum]. New Registrar: David Kidwell-Slack (david.kidwell- [email protected])

MAGNOLIA [Magnolia Society, Inc.]. New Registrar: Matthew S. Lobdell ([email protected]). The ICRA name is now Magnolia Society International

NELUMBO [International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society]. New PRUNUS MUME [Chinese Mei Registrar: Prof. Tian Daike, Chenshan and Winter-Sweet Association]. New , Shanghai (dktian@ Registrars: Prof. Qixiang Zhang, Beijing sibs.ac.cn) Forestry University (13901153775@163. com) and Prof. Manzhuo Bao, College NYMPHAEACEAE [International of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Waterlily and Water Gardening Huazhong Agricultural University Society]. New Registrar: Tamara ([email protected]) Kilbane (tamara.kilbane@ botanicgardens.org) QUERCUS [International Oak Society]. New Registrars: Eike Jablonski (eike. PASSIFLORA [Passiflora Society [email protected]) and Ryan International]. New Registrar: Shawn Russell ([email protected]) Mattison ([email protected]) [Saxifrage Society]. New PELARGONIUM [British and European Registrar: Adrian Young (saxifraga100@ Geranium Society]. New Registrar: gmail.com) Stephen Pollard (stephen.pollard2@ ntlworld.com). The ICRA name is GENERA (other than now The Pelargonium and Geranium those specifically catered for by other Society ICRAs). New Registrar: Dr Susan K. Pell ([email protected]) POPULUS [International Poplar Commission of F.A.O.]. New Registrar: Prof. Julia Kuzovkina, 1376 Storrs Road Unit 4067, Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut 06269-4067, USA ([email protected])

HORTAX 9 horticultural taxonomy group CPT News ■ Questions for consideration Go to the Hortax forum (www.hortax.org.uk/forum.html) to have your say on the questions below.

Reuse of names recombine the original name H. helix var. hibernica in two In large horticultural genera different ways and for two different where marketable names are purposes. As taxonomic opinion at a premium, will denying the may differ or change over time, resurrection of a long-forgotten names transferred from the ICN name simply act to persuade to the ICNCP are fundamentally breeders and retailers that the unstable as epithets, being cultivated code is an irrelevant nomenclaturally valid under one hindrance to the practicable use person’s taxonomy but invalid of names? under another’s. Once having been established under the ICN, Under Article 30.2, the ICNCP can a ever be defined by its provides a stringent list of circumscription rather than its type provisos that would disqualify as is demanded by the ICNCP? the reuse of a cultivar, Group or name within a denomination . The intention is clearly to Wider use of grexes Above. Cypripedium Baron Schroeder prevent the duplication of names gx, painted by Nellie Roberts c.1898– except where there is absolute The concept of the grex is 1910 (RHS, Lindley Library). certainty that ambiguity will not well understood by growers of ensue; but does it do a disservice orchids and grex names are to the horticultural trade by used in a consistent and useful demanding an unreasonable way. Formerly the grex has had degree of assurance that a name a wider use in cultivated plant is completely redundant before nomenclature, and in recent permitting re-use? publications on Brugmansia and What is a trade designation (selling which does valuable work in maintaining information The Horticultural Taxonomy Group name)? about cultivars of many different genera and their Nepenthesnames, mainly to prevent a duplication grex-like and to give systemFurther of If a cultivar name is not considered appealing, further guidance on suitability. For information on ICRAs contact names are sometimes chosen for marketing purposes; the ISHS International Commission for Nomenclature The names of these are known as trade designations. Their use is classificationand Cultivar Registration, through has The Royal been employed.reading often associated with plants which have received legal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey protection through Plant Breeders’ Rights. However, GU23 6QB or www.ishs.org/sci/icra.htm. garden plants the correct cultivar name must always be included Sending a sample of a new cultivar to a Names thaton the crossplant label. The correct cultivar name for the Wouldspecialising it inbe cultivated beneficial plants will help to ensure to have a popular yellow-leaved Choisya ternata is ‘Lich’ but the that it does not become confused with others in the A more detailed Guide to Plant Names may be found on plant is marketed in the UK as C. ternata Sundance (‘Lich’). future. The Royal Horticultural Society Herbarium the Hortax website at www.hortax.org.uk/plantnames/ The cultivar Clematis ‘Błękitny Anioł’, being difficult to concept(address above) of will acceptthe specimens grex and a that couldindex.html. The Guidebe and this leaflet may be copied and A brief outline of pronounce by non-Polish speakers, is sold in Britain as nomenclatural standard will be prepared from them distributed free of charge. how cultivated codes Clematis Blue angel (‘Błękitny Anioł’). ‘Błękitny Anioł’ is (www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Plant-science/RHS- The 8th edition of the International Code of Nomenclature still the accepted cultivar name and the translation, Blueused Herbarium/Nomenclature more widely?). for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP or Cultivated Plant Code), 2009, angel, is a trade designation. published by ISHS as Scripta Horticulturae 10, ISBN 978 plants are named 90 6605 662 6, is available from ISHS, PO Box 500, 3001 Is it ever satisfactory to move What are statutory names? Leuven 1, Belgium (www.ishs.org/pub/scripta.htm); How is a plant name written? current price €20.00. The full text is available on-line at A new plant may be legally protected by Plant www.actahort.org/chronica/pdf/sh_10.pdf. There is an internationally recognised convention for Breeders’ Rights so that the owner or their The latest International Code of names from governancewriting plant names. under The scientific part of a name is in representative has the sole right to propagate (ICBN or Botanical Code), 2006, distributed by Koeltz italics (or underlined) but all other parts of the name the plant and receive royalties on all plants sold. Scientific Books, PO Box 1360, D-61453 Königstein, must be in ordinary roman type. The genus name has an As part of the process of applying for rights, the Germany for the International Association for Plant the botanical code toinitial the capital letter cultivated but the other parts of the scientific applicant must propose a suitable cultivar name, Taxonomy, ISBN 3 906166 48 1, can be obtained through name do not. With few exceptions, all the words in a known legally as a denomination, which will be the bookshops or from www.koeltz.com; current price cultivar name start with a capital letter and should be statutory name by which the plant is known if rights €48.00. The full text is available on-line at www.bgbm. code? The transferenceenclosed in singleof quotationepithets marks: Neware granted. Forplant Choisya ternata Sundance , referrednames to org/iapt/nomenclature/code leaflet. above, the denomination is ‘Lich’. In some countries genuS (e.g. Malva) + SpecieS (e.g. moschata) + (including the UK) the sale of seed, or in some cases Hortax gratefully acknowledges financial support published under the ICNcultivar (e.g. to ‘Pink Perfection’)the → Malva moschata plants, of cultivars of certain garden vegetables from the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust. ‘Pink Perfection’ is regulated through National Listing, a statutory nowprocess providing available a directory of regulated and The abbreviation “cv.” and the hybrid sign “x” are not stable names. ICNCP can cause difficulties.used before cultivar names. Trade designations (selling For more information about Plant Breeders’ Rights names, see above) are not enclosed in quotation marks internationally, see www.upov.int. For Europe, Hedera hibernica ‘Hibernica’but should be in a distinctive typeface such as small To downloadcontact The Community the Plant Variety new Office (CPVO),Hortax guide to cultivated plant capitals, e.g. Clematis WiSley (‘Evipo001’). 3 boulevard Maréchal Foch, BP 10121, FR - 49101 All photographs © RHS. Bluebells (from left): Barry Angers Cedex 02, France (www.cpvo.europa.eu/ Phillips, Tim Sandall, Graham Titchmarsh. Foxgloves main/en). (from left): Barry Phillips, Philippa Gibson, Carol appears simultaneouslyHow are to new cultivar names names,For informationgo to about www.hortax.org.uk/hortax-leaflet.html National Listing or Plant Sheppard. Cover (clockwise from top left): Tulipa Breeders’ Rights in the UK, contact The Plant Variety ‘Orange Duc Thol’, from Hortus nitidissimis (1768–1786) registered? Rights Office, The Food and Environment Research by Christoph Jakob Trew; Helianthus ‘Earthwalker’, by New cultivar names of ornamental plants may be registered Agency, Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon Road, Lee Beel; Papaver ‘Fire Ball’, by Carol Sheppard; apple with the appropriate International Cultivar Registration Cambridge CB3 0LF (www.fera.defra.gov.uk/ ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’, from The Herefordshire Pomona, Authority (ICRA); this is a voluntary non-statutory system plants/plantVarieties). published between 1876 and 1885. hortax 10 www.hortax.org.uk