In botanical nomenclature, variety is a taxonomic rank below that of species: As such, it gets a ternary name (a name in three parts).
A variety will have an appearance distinct from other varieties, but will hybridize freely with those other varieties (if brought into contact). Usually varieties will be geographically separate from each other.
Example: The pincushion cactus, Escobaria vivipara (Nutt.) Buxb., is a wide-ranging variable species occurring from Canada to Mexico, and found throughout New Mexico below about 2600 m. Nine varieties have been described. Where the varieties of the pincushion cactus meet, they intergrade. The variety Escobaria vivipara var. arizonica is from Arizona, while Escobaria vivipara var. neo-mexicana is from New Mexico.
Notes:
- To plant breeders, at least in countries that are signatory to the UPOV Convention, "variety" or "plant variety" is a legal term.
- In zoological nomenclature, the only allowed rank below that of species is that of subspecies. A name that was published before 1961 as that of a variety is taken to be the name of a subspecies. A name published after 1960 as that of a variety does not formally exist. In zoology, forms and morphs are used informally if needed, but are unregulated by the ICZN.
- In bacteriological nomenclature "variety" is not allowed, but names published as varieties before 1992 are taken to be published as subspecies.
- In viticulture, what is referred to as "grape varieties" are in reality cultivars according to usage in the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants or "plant varieties" in the legal sense rather than varieties, since they are propagated by cuttings and have properties that are not stable under sexual reproduction (seed plants). However, usage of the term variety is so entrenched in viticulture that a change to cultivar is unlikely.
See also
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