Abstract: The authors discussed classification system of Mei flower Prunus mume cultivars under the
rules of ‘International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants ( I.C.N.C.P. ) ’, when the book entitled
‘Chinese Mei Flower Cultivars’ is beingwritten. There are 3 cultivar groups under Prunus mume species, the
first is TrueM um e Group, the second is Apricot Mei Group and the third is B lireiana Group. There will be no
further classification under each cultvar group. The spiritual content of so-called ‘Dual Classification System’
will be hidden into the name of each cultivar. The key characterwhich is concerned of classification of Prunus
mume, P. cerasifera and P. armeniaca is the dot grottoes on stone surface. Because both Blireiana Group and
Apricot Mei Group are all with dot grottoes on stone surface, they should not be concerned as species and
called in Latin name of Prunus blireiana and Prunus bungo, but should be remained as cultivar group s under
Prunus mume.

Key words: Mei flower, Prunus mume, True Mume Group, ApricotMei Group, Blireiana Group, Dotgrottoes on stone surface