Series (Botany)

Series are named selections of a number of similar cultivars, usually only differing in colour. With seed-raised plants, particularly F1 hybrid flowers, series have become increasingly popular. Series are similar to groups in that they contains a number of similar cultivars, but they differ in being created specifically as a marketing device, with cultivars added to create the wanted range of colours. The identities of individual cultivars are often undisclosed, and the individual colour elements may be replaced by slightly different cultivars over the years. Series names should be capitalized , but not in italics, or placed between single quotation marks. A series name almost always include the word "Series". If used in conjunction with a cultivar name, the series name should be enclosed in brackets.

Examples:

Alstroemeria L. (Princess™ Series) 'Princess Oxana™'

(Alstroemeria is the genus, L. (Linnaeus) is the author, Princess™ is the name and trademark of the series, and 'Princess Oxana™' is the cultivar name.)

Impatiens wallerana Hook f. Tempo Series F1

(Impatiens wallerana is the species, Hook f. (J.D.Hooker) is the author, and the selection is called Tempo Series.)