LANDRACE

Noun

landrace (plural landraces)

(often, attributive) Any local variety of a domesticated animal or plant species that has adapted over time to its ecological and cultural environment (including, in some cases, its work).

Usage notes

There is some overlap between the terms landrace and breed. The former is sometimes used in cases where selective breeding was the initial source of differentiation. The term is also sometimes used in the names of breeds based on landraces, even though the breed is itself not considered a landrace. Breeds also sometimes retain the name of the landrace from which they derived.

Synonyms

• (any domesticated animal or plant adapted to its new environment): natural breed (animal), traditional breed (animal), traditional variety (plant)