This is the four element “morphology” of a cultivar name that is used at AFFN, and it is proposed for widespread adoption:
Originator’s Name_(Series number)_“Common name”_[genus/species abbreviation]optional
Here are some cultivar examples:
e.g. Claypool (H-55A) “Prairie Dawn”
e.g. Claypool (J-20A) “Weston”
e.g. Lehman (U-20A) “Celebrity”
e.g. Lehman (100-46) “Lehman’s Delight”
e.g. Peterson (10-35) “Tallahatchie”
e.g. Burlington [DV]
Here are the rules behind the morphology:
1) There is a space between each element in the name.
2) Any and all of the first three elements can be used; the fourth element is optional.
3) Give historical cultivars their fullest known name.
Not just “Neal”; instead “Neal’s Nameless”; Not just Mohler; instead “Martin Mohler
Seedless”
4) When a mere number is given, cite the source
Not just NB-01; instead, UKR (NB-01) “Nikita’s Gift”; Not just J-20A; instead, Claypool (J-20A) “Weston”
5) If the genus and species abbreviation is needed for clarity, show it in [ ].
Not Cascade; instead, Cascade [AT] and Cascade [DV]; Not Wabash; instead, Peterson “Wabash” [AT] and Wabash [DV].
6) Always hyphenate the row number and the tree number
Not R12T1, instead, England (R12-T1) “Jon’s Pride“
7) Do not use Roman numerals. Always use “#number”:
Not “PA Golden II” (looks like 11…); instead, “PA Golden #2”
8) Abbreviate State names according to Postal Service Abbreviations. (IN, KY, PA, WV, etc.)
There are several purposes in naming things in the above fashion:
The names provide clarity, helping growers and consumers to distinguish various cultivars. This is vital if distinct pollination partners are needed.
The names remove abstraction from many names. Names like “H-118” do not appeal to consumers, whereas a name like Claypool (H-118) “Early Jewel” connects consumers to a grower and to a descriptive name.
Connecting consumers to growers and to appealing names ties into the Farm to Table movement. This will help to popularize the cultivars and lead to their more widespread planting.