General Info

The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), the world’s leading independent organization of horticultural scientists, appoints International Cultivar Registration Authorities (ICRAs). ICRAs are responsible for keeping an up to date list of all cultivar names in a specific genus, tribe or family. This system has now been in operation for over 50 years and has contributed significantly to the stability and fixity of cultivated plant nomenclature. The system operates under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) and its chief aim is to prevent duplicated uses of cultivar and Group epithets within a defined denomination class (usually a genus), as well as ensuring that names are in all other respects in accord with the latest edition of the ICNCP.

On 7/7/2023 the ISHS has appointed the DEUTSCHE KAKTEEN-GESELLSCHAFT (GERMAN CACTUS SOCIETY) as the ICRA for the tribe Rhipsalideae. The tribe Rhipsalideae consists of the genera Schlumbergera, Rhipsalidopsis, Hatiora, Rhipsalis and Lepismium.

The new ICRA Rhipsalideae extends the work of a group known as Schlumbergera.net. Supported by printable PDF and an interactive website, over 2000 Schlumbergera cultivar names and over 360 Rhipsalidopsis names are already covered. They are supported by 4200+ pictures. The other genera Hatiora, Lepismium and Rhipsalis are in progress.

It is important to understand that the system is a voluntary, non-statutory one and does not confer any legal protection over the name or the plant. Such protection has to be sought through statutory schemes such as national Plant Breeders’ Rights or Plant Patents. The ICRA system is in effect the horticultural world’s attempt at self-policing of nomenclature and is truly international in its scope.

The success of the ICRA system depends upon the co-operation of all those involved with the creation and marketing of new plants. Generally all that is required is the submission of the name and any other relevant data to the ICRA. The ICRA will check each new epithet to ensure that it has not been used before and that in all other respects it is in accord with the ICNCP and then notify the registrant accordingly. Applicants should remember that registration may be refused if the name has been used before and should await the ICRA’s decision before implementing any marketing for the plant. ICRAs are not responsible for assessing the distinctiveness of the plant in question.

In case of the ICRA Rhipsalideae registration for Schlumbergera and Rhipsalisdopsis cultivars can be performed online on Schlumbergera.net, for other species an email with relevant data and pictures or questions may be submitted to registration@schlumbergera.net.

The ICRA system only functions with the help of those who create or market new plants. For that reason we welcome any nursery or hybridizer to join the effort and register new cultivar names with us. We look forward to your submissions!

Sincere regards,

The ICRA Rhipsalideae team