A "plant variety" is a legal term, following the UPOV Convention. Recognition of a cultivated plant as a "variety" (in this sense) provides its breeder with some legal protection, so-called plant breeders' rights, depending to some extent on the internal legislation of the signatory countries.
Note that this "variety" (which will differ in status according to the local law of the land) should not be confused with the international (the same the world over):
