Because even the most stable of variegates sometimes loses variegation or
changes the form of variegation we must look at the way that these cultivars
are currently named so that they can easily be identified.
The only reference in the ICNCP rules is in Section 17.15 which states:
"The words 'variety' (or var.) and 'form' may not be used in new cultivar
epithets. However, when var. denotes variegated the epithet is established
with the word 'variegated' written in full". This is not that informative
perhaps because variegation plays a very small role in the general world of
plant cultivars. Variegation is much more specialised in the Bromeliaceae
where the following non-Latin adjectives could apply:
The ICBN rules cover like-plants from the wild where the "normal" version is
described at species level and the variegated form at the next level eg.
Aechmea coelestis v. albomarginata.
If you have a plant without variegations it becomes just Aechmea
coelestis! This is easy to understand.
How Do We Follow The Instability Of Cultivar Variegates?
The word 'Sport' has been in horticultural use for many years but has rarely
been formally applied to Bromeliads. A 'Sport' is defined as a visible
asexual mutation and occurs in bromeliads where offsets (or pups) are
different to the 'Mother' plant. To my mind there is a closer relationship
between a 'Sport' and a 'Mother' plant, than that between siblings in a grex
and we should record this fact when it occurs.
While variegation can occur in the seed raising stage this is NOT included
in this definition.
United States Plant Patent law covers all offsets of a patented plant whether
sports or not but is broken by seed raising and this seems to be a firm basis
to start from.
The phenomenon of 'Sporting' has become more prevalent in the past 10 years
or so because of the avalanche of named variegated plants which are
notoriously unstable. Just what do you do with an offset that is different
from 'Mother'? To be strictly correct this should be destroyed but in reality
they are not destroyed but even nurtured!
As an example, Aechmea 'Ensign' (See Baensch Blooming Bromeliads p44)
should be an albo-marginate form of Aechmea orlandiana. It was raised
by seed where the mutation occurred. Note that Aechmea 'Ensign' is not
a sport of Aechmea orlandiana! A sport of Aechmea 'Ensign' is
'Reverse Ensign' which has a white median line. These will be linked in the
Bromeliad Cultivar Registry by a 'Sport' indicator. Any offset of Aechmea
'Ensign' which is not albo-marginate (or reverse) should in my mind be called
Aechmea 'Ensign' sport until such time that it 'stabilises' and someone
gives it a name. Even if it loses its variegation it should still be called
Aechmea 'Ensign' sport and NOT Aechmea orlandiana because it still
retains the erratic genes and could easily revert back to an Aechmea
'Ensign'.
Many of the registered variegated Neoregelias could well have developed as
sports and not as siblings within a grex but the Registration form did not
allow for this situation. This omission has now been rectified.
Plants that have sported directly from a species include Billbergia
'Perriam's Pride' which was originally Billbergia distachia.
So please use the word 'Sport' as a temporary measure to cover aberrant
offsets. A more direct option is to use the epithet 'Novar' which indicates that
a previously named variegated plant has lost its variegation and which could well
be just a temporary aberration. For example Vriesea 'Gunther Novar' which has a
propensity for losing its stripes!
This solution will make it easier for the 'Show Bench' to accept the
inevitable non-stable plants that do not agree with the original description
or photograph by the quick addition of an epithet. It will also help
sellers (and purchasers!) of a plant to know its true relationship with its
'Mother' in that temporary period before possible new naming.
There are, of course, other adjectives that could be used but regrettably,
I do not see us getting a general concensus on what ones to use.
Derek Butcher
Fulham, South Australia