AIS: registration and naming (was JAP: Henry's White--any info?)

In a message dated 22/03/97  01:27:48, Clarence says:

<< There are two comments I would make about such an iris.  First, since it
is
 not registered there is no assurance that an iris sold under that name is
the
 same as some other iris sold under that name.   >>


Unfortunately, I must say that the same can also be said of irises that have
been registered, especially WRT older varieties. However, provided the
description in the Register is good (and not all are good IMHO) it is at
least possible to check out whether or not the plant you now have blooming in
front of you is the genuine article.

We have discussed before on this list various ways of improving the accuracy
of descriptions in the register, and also those unscrupulous outfits that
sell plants under a name that they think fits (not necessarily the correct
name) - so I will not start that thread again.

Clarence goes on to say:
<<Reputable perennial nurseries are supposed to abide by the international
rules governing proper registration of perennials>>

There are no rules for this - only the international codes for nomenclature
which lay down the format for a name (maximum length, use of generic names in
a varietal name, etc.). There is no international register for the vast
majority of plants - we must count ourselves lucky to have the iris register.
There are registers for grasses, rhododendrons, narcissus and a handful of
other genera. The vast majority of genera do not have a register. The Hardy
Plant Society and the Royal Horticultural Society are both working to
establish some sort of register of new plants of all types, which would
recognise the existing registers but also plug the gap where no registers
exist. However, this doesn't help with the countless thousands of named
hybrids and cultivars already in cultivation.
The only law in the UK which might possibly apply (but has never been
enforced in this area to the best of my knowledge) is the Trade Desciptions
Act which supposedly ensures that whatever is sold is actually what it is
described or named as - I assume there is a similar law in the US and other
nations.

Graham Spencer
Croftway Nursery, UK
croftway@aol.com
Rain this morning - first in nearly three weeks. Not expected to last tho'
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