RHS terminology: seed [???]/pollen parent

[tropterrarium]

Just stumbled across something odd:
RHS uses the terms "seed parent" and "pollen parent" for the two contributions to a hybrid. Pollen, perfectly fine, but last time I checked, seed is the diploid product of a union of a haploid ovum with a haploid pollen (via pollen tube). So ovum and pollen are parental, while seed is the diploid starting point and is already the hybrid.

Anybody know about this? Is there some historical reason for this inaccurate terminology?

[Ray]

I think you're trying to read too much into it.

When a cross is made, where the pollen and seed come from - even at different times - is pretty straightforward.

[Fairorchids]

The RHS records this detail for no particularly good reason, considering that they consider AxB and BxA to be the same grex.

It is an entirely different matter to breeders, since dominance of certain traits vary a great deal, when the plant is either pod or pollen parent.

For example, in Neostylis Pinky (Neofinetia falcata and Rhynchostylis gigantea), plant size is clearly reflecting the pod parent.

Likewise in Paphiopedilum primary hybrids, where pod parent tends to dominate for flower shape.

[Alanear]

Luddites beware - Molecular biology rules!
(although I greatly regret the demise of Odontoglossum)

[PaphMadMan]

.

[plantbuddy]

By current convention in pedigree connotation, the female parent is indicated first, followed by the male.

Presumably in the case you're addressing, the "seed parent" is the pod parent.