“In the case of “pseudo-qualitative characteristics,” the range of expression is at least partly continuous, but varies in more than one dimension (e.g. shape: ovate (1), elliptic (2), circular (3), obovate (4)) and cannot be adequately described by just defining two ends of a linear range. In a similar way to qualitative (discontinuous) characteristics – hence the term “pseudo-qualitative” – each individual state of expression needs to be identified to adequately describe the range of the characteristic.”

References

UPOV, 2002. General introduction to the examination of distinctness, uniformity and stability and the development of harmonized descriptions of new varieties of plants. https://www.upov.int/export/sites/upov/resource/en/tg_1_3.pdf