Research
The International Daffodil Register and Classified List (1998)
SCOPE OF THE REGISTER
There are five kinds of name in the Register:
1. Cultivar names
A name such as Narcissus 'King Alfred' is a cultivar name. The epithet 'King Alfred' should appear in single quotation marks, with capital initial letters.
The Register contains every daffodil cultivar name published by the RHS in any of its Lists and Registers since 1907, thus re-instating any that were from time to time deleted. It includes names registered up to 30 June 1997. It also includes many unregistered names gleaned from back numbers of the major daffodil societies' reports and journals, from nursery catalogues, from the American Daffodil Society's Data Bank and from the Tasmanian Seedling Register.
Although new cultivar epithets must be a word or words in a modern language, epithets in Latin form in use before 1959 may continue in use in accordance with Article 17.9 of the Cultivated Plant Code.
2. Cultivar-group names
A name such as Narcissus Incomparabilis is a cultivar-group name, as is N. Nylon Group. The epithets Incomparabilis and Nylon Group should have capital initial letters. They do not have quotation marks.
Cultivar-group names are for assemblages of similar plants or cultivars. Cultivar-group names drawn up in 1884 appear in the synonymy of most cultivars of that date. They include Incomparabilis Albidus, Barrii and Backhousei. For the sake of brevity, the word Group is omitted from them when used in cultivar synonymy. Cultivar-group names of more recent date appear in their own right. They include Nylon Group, Double Wintercups Group, Glenbrook Mini-cycla Group and others.
3. Trade designations
A name such as Narcissus JANUARY is a trade designation. In this case it is for the plant with the cultivar epithet 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation'. In the Daffodil Register, trade designations are distinguished by being printed in small capitals, without quotation marks.
4. Botanical names
A name such as Narcissus jonquilla is a botanical name. It should appear in italics. The generic name Narcissus may be abbreviated to a capital N. where the meaning is unambiguous; the specific epithet jonquilla should have a lower-case initial letter.
A name such as Narcissus ´ intermedius is also a botanical name. In this case it is for hybrids between N. jonquilla and N. tazetta. The cross indicating its hybrid nature is ideally written as a multiplication sign.
The Register contains all currently recognized taxa as set out in the botanical classification.
5. Popular names
A name such as "Angel's Tears" is a popular name. In this case it is for N. triandrus var. triandrus. In the Daffodil Register, popular names are distinguished by double quotation marks and capital initial letters.