1). A group of cultivated plants within a species which is distinguished from another variety (group) by any characters (morphologic, physiological, biochemical, or other) of significance to agriculture and which, when reproduced, retains its distinguishing characters. A variety may be derived from several pure lines which have many common features and are reasonably uniform in appearance (but not necessarily genetically pure). 2). A group of similar plants which, by structural features and performance, may be identified from other varieties (groups) in the same species. It differs from a breeding line in that it has been named and made commercially available to farmers. 3). A subdivision of a species; a group of individuals within a species which are distinct in form or function from other similar arrays of individuals in commercial production. Variety is synonymous with cultivar.