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Flower Seed Labeling Requirements (Flower Seed Labeling Fact Sheet)

Flower Seed Labeling Requirements (Flower Seed Labeling Fact Sheet)

Flower Seed

Flower seed means the seed of those plants usually grown for their blooms, ornamental foliage, or other ornamental parts and commonly are known and sold under the name flower seed.

Label Requirements For Flower Seed

Each container of flower seed offered for sale for planting purposes must have attached to the container in a visible place a label or tag with the following information. (Note: If the seed is distributed in bulk, the information required must accompany delivery, and must be provided to the purchaser at the time of delivery.)

  1. The name of the kind and variety.
  2. The lot number or identifying mark
  3. The year for which the seed was packed for sale and labeled as "packed for year," the percentage of germination exclusive of dormant or hard seed, the percentage of dormant or hard seed, and the calendar month and year that these percentages were determined by test.
  4. For seed that does not meet the minimum germination established by rule, the percentage of germination exclusive of dormant or hard seed, the percentage of dormant or hard seed, if present, the words "BELOW STANDARD" printed in not less than 8-point type, and the month and year the percentages were determined by test.
  5. The name and complete address of the person who labels the seed, or sells the seed within the state of Michigan, as well as the number of restricted noxious weed seeds per pound, if any are present.
  6. For seed which is placed in preplanted containers, mats, tapes, or other planting devices in a way that makes it difficult to determine the quantity of seed, a statement to indicate the minimum number of each kind and variety of seeds in the container or device.

Label Requirements for Flower Seed Sold Outside its Original Container

The requirements for FLOWER seed that is sold outside its original container are met if the seed is weighed from a properly labeled container in the presence of the purchaser. However, treated FLOWER seed must be accompanied by the information required for treated seed.

Additional Label Requirements for Flower Seed that Has Been Treated

Seed that has been treated with an irritating or poisonous substance, harmful to humans or other vertebrate animals must be colored or dyed with a color contrasting with the natural color of the seed. The following information must appear on the label:

  1. A warning statement in 12-point or larger type that the seed has been treated.
  2. The common coined, chemical, or abbreviated chemical name of the substance applied to the seed.
  3. A caution statement in 12-point type as follows: "Treated seed--do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes."

    Furthermore, if the seed is treated, and the treatment is not irritating, poisonous, or harmful to humans or other vertebrate animals, the seed must be labeled with a statement, in 12-point or larger type, describing the applied substance.

Label Requirements for Flower Seed that Contains a Percentage of Hybrid Seed

In addition to the standard label requirements, when FLOWER seed consists of less than 95% hybrid seed, the percent that is hybrid must be labeled parenthetically in direct association following the named variety, for example "Lupillo" (85% hybrid). Varieties that consist of less than 75% hybrid seed must not be labeled as hybrids.

Flower Seed Labeled for Type and Performance Characteristics

Flower seed may be labeled for type and performance characteristics as follows:

  1. For seed of plants grown primarily for their BLOOMS, the following information applies.
  1. For seeds that are of a SINGLE NAMED VARIETY, the KIND and VARIETY must be stated. For example, "Marigold, Butterball."
  2. For seeds of plants of a SINGLE TYPE and COLOR and for which there is no specific variety name, the TYPE of PLANT, if significant, and the TYPE and COLOR of BLOOM must be indicated. For example, "Scabiosa, Tall, Large flowered, Double, Pink."
  3. For seeds of an ASSORTMENT or MIXTURE of COLORS or VARIETIES of a SINGLE KIND, the following information must be indicated.
    • The kind name.
    • The type of plant, if significant, and the type or types of boom.
  • It must be clearly indicated that the seed is MIXED or ASSORTED.
    For example,"Marigold, Dwarf Double French, Mixed Colors."

     b.   For seeds of an ASSORTMENT or MIXTURE of KINDS, and KINDS and VARIETIES, the following information is required.

  1. It must be clearly indicated that the seed is assorted or mixed.
  2. The specific use of the assortment or mixture must be indicated. For example, "Cut Flower Mixture," or "Rock Garden Mixture." Statements such as "General purpose Mixture," or "Wonder Mixture" are not acceptable.
  3. Seed containers that have more than 3 grams of seed must list in order of predominance the kind or kind and variety names of each component that is more than 5% of the content by weight, and must list the percentage by weight of each component.
  4. Components of 5% or less, must be listed, but do not need to be in order of predominance although it is encouraged. A single percentage by weight must be indicated for these components.
  5. If no component of a mixture is more than 5% of the total content, the statement "no component in excess of 5% may be used."
  6. Seed containers that have 3 grams of seed or less, must list the components but are not required to give the percentage by weight. The listing of these components does not need to be in order of predominance.