After reading the interesting discussion on hybrids I like to add the following : There are two different definitions for hybrids: 1. The geneticist definition: A hybrid is a cross between two organisms differing in one or more characters. 2.The taxonomist definition: A hybrid is a cross between two different species. Questions: One ( of the many ) problems with hybrids in the wild is timing. Most of our plants are of hybrid origin. The question is: how old must the hybrid be to be given species status? 100 years- a million years? Would hybrids be recognized as such as the parents no longer exist? Ben J.M.Zonneveld Nationaal Herbarium Nederland POBox 9514 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands telf 071 5274738 E-mail: Zonneveld@NHN.Leidenuniv.nl