A specimen produced by crossing two species, sub-species, or cultivars.
Hybrids are specimens produced by crossing two (or more) species, sub-species, or cultivars.
Technically, biology (especially genetics) also recognizes a range of different hybrid types; but horticulture limits the definition to this general meaning.
In nature, a number of plants will readily hybridize (form hybrids). Examples include Sarracenia (trumpet pitcher plants) and Opuntia (prickly pears).
Hybrids may also form naturally between sub-species, and between cultivars. Cultivars are typically produced with a mixture of selective breeding (selection of seed from plants with required traits) and hybridization of plants with the required traits.
Use this tag for all questions about hybrids.
