Cultivar, Strain, Line, Accession, and Clone
Use plant-genetic-resource terms precisely and attach each name to a reproducible biological unit.
Educational reference · evidence, sources, and limits shown below
Use plant-genetic-resource terms precisely and attach each name to a reproducible biological unit.
Terms to know
- Cultivar or variety
- A cultivated plant grouping defined by reproducible distinguishing characteristics under an applicable system.
- Strain
- Informal cannabis market term whose genetic, legal, and taxonomic meaning is often unspecified.
- Line
- Breeding population or family maintained through a defined mating and selection history.
- Accession
- Distinct sample maintained in a germplasm collection with a unique identifier and provenance.
Core science
These words describe different kinds of identity. A cultivar or protected variety is a plant grouping, not merely a memorable name. A line is defined by breeding history and may still segregate. An accession is a conserved sample and documentation unit. A clone is a vegetatively propagated ramet derived from one source genotype.
In cannabis commerce, strain often labels a product or claimed lineage without an enforceable identity standard. Samples sold under one name have shown substantial genetic differences, while differently named samples can be close. The word can be retained for audience recognition, but it must not replace source, generation, clone code, or test data.
Seed lots from one named cultivar are not equivalent to a single clone. A clone name should refer to a documented source plant or reference sample. A line name should include generation, family, and selection history. An accession identifier must remain tied to the conserving institution and acquisition record.
Why this matters in cultivation
- Use a layered identity string: displayed name; breeder or repository; cultivar, line, accession, or clone status; generation or seed lot; internal plant ID; and verified genotype or chemotype records.
- Never rename material to match appearance or aroma. Quarantine unknowns under a temporary code until provenance and tests support a controlled designation.
Measure and record
Displayed name
Exact spelling, breeder or source, date received, and claims supplied.
Biological unit
Clone, seed lot, family, line, accession, population, or unknown.
Propagation history
Parent IDs, generation, lot, mother source, number of passages, and dates.
Evidence
Reference sample, genotype panel, chemistry, morphology, photographs, and certificates.
Name changes
Old name, new controlled name, authority, reason, date, and affected inventory.
Common misconceptions
Correction: The same market name can contain genetically divergent material.
Correction: Seed reproduction creates segregating individuals unless the material is exceptionally uniform.
Correction: An accession may represent a cultivar, line, landrace, wild population, or other conserved sample.
Evidence limits
Legal definitions of cultivar or variety vary by jurisdiction and protection system. Genetic similarity alone does not establish ownership, distinctness, uniformity, stability, or right to use a name.
Related encyclopedia topics
- THC-ENC-022, THC-ENC-149, THC-ENC-158-160, THC-ENC-181-200, and THC-GROW-030.
Source notes
- International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention: variety definition.
- FAO. Plant genetic resources concepts and definitions: accession.
- Schwabe A.L. and McGlaughlin M.E. (2019). Genetic tools weed out misconceptions of strain reliability in Cannabis sativa. Journal of Cannabis Research 1:3.
- Jin D. et al. (2021). Classification of cannabis strains in the Canadian market with discriminant analysis of principal components. PLOS ONE 16:e0253387.
This lesson summarizes the source material and its evidence limits for education. Use direct measurement, controlled comparison, and the cited sources when conditions differ or a decision carries meaningful risk.