Hello all, This is my first post here. I work for the federal government and I was contacted by someone in Alberta who says she created a new species of phlox through some accidental cross-pollination, and wondered who to contact to possibly register this new species. After being bounced around through several goverment departments, her frustration level is near the boiling point. My area of expertise is fruits and vegetables, not floriculture, so I am wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction so I can give this person an answer. Thanks very much for any help you can give me.
Hybrids are not species, so it isn't a new species. It should be registered as a new cultivar, which should be done with the relevant International Cultivar Registration Authority. List of ICRAs here: http://www.ishs.org/sci/icralist/icralist.htm
What Michael has suggested is either all of the answer or half the answer, depending on whether the person wants to somehow legally protect the plant. Registration with a cultivar authority will help verify the plant is unique and ensure the plant has a unique name, but will not provide legal protection. For Canada, at least, the entity to help with that process is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Plant Breeders' Rights. Please note that this is a lengthy process which requires complete documentation and trials of the plant (I believe it is also incumbent upon the breeder to prove uniqueness). For this reason, I rarely see individuals pursuing PBR, but rather only institutions and companies. It may be worthwhile for this person to somehow partner with someone who is interested in taking the plant to market. Separate, parallel processes are required to legally protect the plant in other countries.
Thank you both very much for your prompt responses! I will pass on the information. Great website you have here, by the way.
