In order to correctly describe your plants, we need to introduce some lingo that will be used on the website.
This might be a bit overwhelming at first, but mostly you can find what you need in the name of the plant itself.
In a scientific plant name, the Genus name always comes first and is written in italics with a capital first letter. Examples of plant genera are Anthurium, Monstera, Schefflera, Spathyphyllum, Chlorophyllum, Hoya…
The following designation might indicate one of these options to choose when you add your plant in Plant Provenance:
1. Species
Form: Genus species
A species is a basic unit of classification in biology. In plants, it refers to a group of individuals that naturally occur together and share common characteristics, and is formally described by a botanist.
This species name is always in Latin (ending in “i”, “a”, “us”, “um” or “ex”).
2. Species variety/species (eco) type/species cultivar
Form: Genus species var. name or Genus species ‘Name’
These variants of plant species are grouped because they are noted in a similar form.
However, there is a difference between these three:
A species variant — sometimes called a botanical variety — is a naturally occurring subgroup within a species that shows distinct, inheritable traits, such as leaf shape, flower color, or growth habit.
An ecotype is a genetically distinct population within a species that has adapted to specific environmental conditions, such as altitude, soil, or climate. Ecotypes typically arise naturally and reflect local adaptation without human intervention.
A species cultivar, on the other hand, is a plant selection within a species that has been deliberately bred or selected by humans for desirable traits — like color, disease resistance, or compact growth — and is usually propagated clonally or from seed to maintain uniformity.
3. Cross
Form: Genus species ‘Name’ × ‘Name2’
A cross is used as a term on the website to indicate an intraspecific hybridization. Although “cross” is generally used more broadly, for distinction reasons we use it to mean a cross between two varieties or cultivars from the same species.
4. Hybrid (cultivar)
Form: Genus A × B or Genus A × B ‘Name’ (A and B are either species, varieties, cultivars, crosses, hybrids or trade names)
A hybrid is defined on this website as a cross between two plants that are not from the same species (interspecific hybrid). Hybrid cultivars are selected plants from a hybrid seed batch.
5. Cultivar, nickname, trade name
Form: Genus ‘Name’
Cultivar name: The official name given to a cultivated variety, written in single quotes. It follows international naming conventions and remains consistent across countries.
Nickname: An informal or affectionate name used by collectors or growers. It’s not standardized or officially recognized, but it can become widely known.
Trade name (or marketing name): A name used for branding or commercial appeal, often trademarked. It may appear on plant labels but isn’t necessarily the same as the cultivar name.