A "plant 'variety'" is a
legal term, following the
UPOV Convention. Recognition of a cultivated
plant as a "variety" (in this sense) provides its
breeder with some legal protection, so-called
plant breeders' rights, depending to some extent on the internal legislation of the signatory countries.
Note that this "variety" (which will differ in status according to the local law of the land) should not be confused with the international (the same the world over):
★ rank of
variety (regulated by the ''
ICBN'')
★
cultivar (regulated by the ''
ICNCP'').
External links
★
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
★
Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO)