Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

In the name Acer palmatum "October Glory," "October Glory" is classified as what type of name if it did not occur as a natural mutation?

1. Cultivar

2. Variety

3. Genus

4. Species

The correct answer is: Cultivar

In botanical nomenclature, the term "cultivar" refers to a cultivated variety of a plant that has been selected for specific characteristics and is maintained through cultivation. The name "October Glory" indicates that it is a distinct selection of the species Acer palmatum that has been bred or cultivated to enhance particular traits, such as its vibrant fall color or growth habit. Cultivars are often created through human intervention—such as breeding, grafting, or other propagation techniques—and they do not occur naturally in the wild. The use of quotation marks around "October Glory" signifies that it is indeed a cultivar. This differentiates it from other classifications, like varieties, which typically refer to natural variations found in a species that can reproduce true to type in nature. The alternatives provided—variety, genus, and species—each represent different taxonomic categories. A variety, in botanical terms, represents a rank below species and usually is a naturally occurring form or type within a species that exhibits distinct characteristics. Genus is a higher classification that includes one or more species, while species denotes a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce viable offspring. Since "October Glory" is a cultivated selection and not a naturally occurring variant, it is classified accurately as