Australian Cultivar Registration Authority facts for kids
The Australian Cultivar Registration Authority (ACRA) is a special group that helps keep track of new plant types in Australia. Think of them as the official record-keepers for unique Australian plants. They make sure that new plant varieties, called cultivars, get proper names and are officially recognized.
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What is ACRA?
ACRA is like a central office for registering new Australian plants. It's part of a bigger, worldwide system that registers plant names. ACRA focuses on plants that come from Australia, except for a few types that other groups already handle.
Who is Part of ACRA?
ACRA is made up of people from different important plant organizations across Australia. These include:
- Representatives from the botanic gardens in each Australian state and territory. Botanic gardens are like big, beautiful parks where many different plants are grown and studied.
- Members from the Society for Growing Australian Plants. This group helps people learn about and grow native Australian plants.
- People from the Nursery Industry Association of Australia. This association represents businesses that grow and sell plants.
Why is ACRA Important?
ACRA was started in 1963. Its main job is to register and publish the names of new Australian native plant cultivars. A cultivar is a type of plant that has been developed or chosen by people for special features, like a unique flower color or a way it grows. ACRA follows a set of international rules for naming these plants, called the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. This helps everyone around the world use the same names for plants.
How Does ACRA Help Plants?
ACRA also gives advice about "plant breeders' rights." These rights are like patents for plants. They protect the people who develop new plant varieties, making sure their hard work is recognized. ACRA also registers new plant varieties under a law called the Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994. This law helps protect the rights of plant breeders in Australia.
See also
In Spanish: Australian Cultivar Registration Authority para niños
