I am not sure if I am in the right place to ask this question, but here it is: when I was browsing through the plant database for tomatoes under variety, I noticed that the variety Traveler was not entered with the word Arkansas preceding it. This tomato is a release of the University of Arkansas . The University of Arkansas holds many patents on plants recently developed, but because this is an earlier release, I am not sure if there is a patent on it.In any case, you seldom if ever see this variety sold anywhere either online as seed, or as retail bought plants without the name Arkansas added. If this plant is patented, wouldn't the proper name be required for usage in the database?

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Traveler')

The 'Traveler' entry lists 'Arkansas Traveler' as an also-sold-as name. It also includes this statement in the History field:

Released by the University of Arkansas in 1970 as 'Traveler'. Others later started incorrectly calling it "Arkansas Traveler."

Thanks, @zuzu. I saw that the word Arkansas was listed as also sold as name. As for the release date, I looked on our website www.uaex.edu but I didn't find the release date. Of course I am proud that this tomato came from my home state; and the U of A is doing some awesome genetic work in developing and receiving patents for a lot of very new plants on the market now. Recent developments: white fleshed peaches, table grapes for the south, table grapes that are flavored like grape, cotton candy, and several other flavors, and some new thornless blackberries. All the thornless blackberries sold that have Native American names are U of A plants. They are also doing some exciting plant work in rice and soybeans, our two main row crops in Arkansas.

gardenfish said:I am not sure if I am in the right place to ask this question, but here it is: when I was browsing through the plant database for tomatoes under variety, I noticed that the variety Traveler was not entered with the word Arkansas preceding it. This tomato is a release of the University of Arkansas . The University of Arkansas holds many patents on plants recently developed, but because this is an earlier release, I am not sure if there is a patent on it.In any case, you seldom if ever see this variety sold anywhere either online as seed, or as retail bought plants without the name Arkansas added. If this plant is patented, wouldn't the proper name be required for usage in the database?

I just moved to Arkansas two years ago, and am just now trying to get back to what was a passion of mine in my previous home--gardening! I found a single six-pack of Arkansas Travelers at Walmart a couple of weeks ago and although they didn't look too great, I grabbed them up just based on the name, to honor my new home.

They're all looking much better now, and two have blossoms today. I'm really excited about them! I have lots to learn about gardening in Arkansas, and will be watching all your posts closely. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

Joe McGuffin ( University of Arkansas) released Bradley, Traveler, Traveler 76 and Ozark pink in that order. All were based on the Gulf State Market ( which was the original pink tomato for which Arkansas is famous. The name Arkansas Traveler grew with "heirloom" movement at that time which vendors reporting it as found in the Ozarks. The official names of the Arkansas releases are Bradley, Traveler, Traveler 76 and Ozark Pink. all were released in the 60's and 70's. I used to know the exact release dates, But I am getting old and forgetful. I have no idea which of these is marketed today as the Arkansas Traveler. Probably some mixture of Traveler and Traveler 76. Victory seeds does have both of the traveler varieties. They also do excellent research on their varieties,