Nomenclature Question

[Shoreguy]

Does the term “Neofinetia hybrid” refer only to plants which are intergeneric, or to any Neofinetia resulting from crossing two different Neofinetia grexes as well as to intergenerics?

[Ray]

I believe that technically, Neofinetia falcata is the only species in the genus, so no matter what varieties, forms, or cultivars are involved in breeding, it’s technically still that species.

That suggests to me that a “neofinetia hybrid” would have to be a cross between a neo and something else.

[estación seca]

Agree with above. Even crosses between two wildly different members of the same species are not hybrids.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Ray

I believe that technically, Neofinetia falcata is the only species in the genus, so no matter what varieties, forms, or cultivars are involved in breeding, it’s technically still that species.

That suggests to me that a “neofinetia hybrid” would have to be a cross between a neo and something else.

Good. I was hoping for that answer.

[Fairorchids]

Actually, some taxonomists recognize 3 different species of Neofinetia (falcata, richardsiana + one with a Chinese name), all of which have now been transferred to Vanda.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Actually, some taxonomists recognize 3 different species of Neofinetia (falcata, richardsiana + one with a Chinese name), all of which have now been transferred to Vanda.

Would it be correct to call a cross between two of them, a Neofinetia hybrid?

Concede it would be a Neofinetia hybrid or technically a Vanda hybrid.

[estación seca]

If they become generally recognized as distinct species, crosses between them would be hybrids. As far as the plant is concerned it's like picking a mate based on the description somebody else wrote rather than evaluating the person yourself.