Phal - what is species and hybrid differences?

[jkofferdahl]

A species plant is either a plant as found in nature or a varietal of the natural plant. The term hybrid is a bit more open. Because some species are interbred to improve on certain characteristics there are those who consider it a hybrid (I think it's a varietal). Examples of varietals would be Phalaenopsis equestris v. alba or Phal equestris v Orange (nope, not a very orange flower). There are also a few "natural hybrids", which are crosses of two species and are found in the wild. Phalaenopsis Intermedia (or Phal. X Intermedia) is a natural crossing of P. equestris and P. aphrodite. However, there are tons and tons (and tons more) man-made hybrids, most of which are crossed from other hybrids. A hybrid bred from two species if often referred to as a simple hybrid, while those with longer and more convoluted lineages may be referred to as a complex hybrid. Additionally, there are intergeneric hybrids, wherein two different genuses (genii? genei?) are crossed. Sometimes a new hybrid doesn't yet have a name and so the label would read Phal. (species x species).

In the plant name, the first word, here Phalaenopsis, refers to the genus of orchids, while the second (part at times) of the name is the species name. Thus the plant Phalaenopsis equestris is a species (equestris) within the genus (Paraphalaenopsis). In labels or registeries the genus name is always capitalized while the species designation is not - thus, again, Phalaenopsis equestris. Just at a glance, because of how the name is written, you know that the plant is a species. Hybrids will still capitalize the genus name but also capitalize the hybrid name, such as Phalaenopsis Little Emperor. Sometimes a varietal is given both a species name and also a name indicating that it's a varietal, such as Phalaenopsis stuartiana "Star Wars".

It's interesting that the Phalaenopsis area is the only one on OB which divides species from hybrids. Some Phal enthusiasts are hard-core species growers, and may even consider varietals to be a sin, while other growers love the hybrids. As a rule, just like a dog that's a mutt is healthier than a purebred [which really are hybrids, to, these days]), hybrids tend to be easier to grow and more adaptable in collections, especially the more complex ones, than are species plants.