At present two separate nomenclature systems exist for wheat and rye. This paper provides a proposed common catalogue of wheat, rye and triticale resistance gene symbols. More than 130 postulated wheat resistance genes are listed. Over 39 rye and 6 triticale resistance (R) genes have been identified and named. Genes responsible for reaction to powdery mildew and to leaf, stem and yellow rusts are the best-represented group of resistance genes. From the common catalogue it can be concluded that there exists a potential for further transfer of rye resistance genes to wheat and triticale. Many molecular markers can be applied for marker-assisted gene transfer, but the expression of the R genes in the new genetic background of triticale remains to be investigated.