Re: HYB: Inter-species Crosses
- Subject: Re: HYB: Inter-species Crosses
- From: H*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 11:00:04 EST
From: HIPSource@aol.com
In a message dated 11/22/98 12:33:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,
73372.1745@compuserve.com writes:
<< I believe that this is a truth that has been oversimplified and distorted
as it's been passed down through the years. The traits that are
characteristics of the species should come true from seed, but those which
are variable within the species should not. For example, if I were to
raise something from I. hoogiana seed that had globuar form and a prominent
signal I would be highly suspicious -- but if I were to cross a light
flower with a darker one I would not be at all suprised to find a range of
colors in the offspring. >>
This is my imperfect understanding of the matter as well. "Coming true from
seed" is a pretty loose concept. For formal botanical purposes a "species" is
defined by an herbarium specimen somewhere, but in practice any one species
name is best understood as an abstract concept applied to number of
individuals or populations of individuals all of which must have some defining
features in common--typically details of the sexual apparatus, I believe--but
otherwise may exhibit considerable variation. As the individuals differ, so
will their progeny. Indeed great uniformity among the offspring may also
indicate intense artificial hybridization of select individuals.
Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com
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