From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at msn.com> on 2007.02.24 at 15:01:52(15336)
Reply-To : Discussion of aroids
Sent : Friday, February 23, 2007 6:34 PM
To : aroid-l@gizmoworks.com (Discussion of aroids)
Subject : Re: [Aroid-l] Philodendron 'Santa Leopoldina'
I don`t believe that anyone denys that there are 'natural hybrids' in
nature. BUT---'mother nature' usually makes these 'natural hybrids' a
rare occurence, and in many cases a Biological dead-end. Think about a
mule (donkey X horse). In other hybrids, there is no or limited fertility
in the hybrid. The statement 'pollen goes wherever it may' is true in very
few cases except wind-pollenated species, it MUST be transported from plant
to plant (or animal to animal), and there are mecanisims to ensure in most
cases that the pollen from one species goes to that species (distinct
different odurs or shape/colors of blooms in plants, different behaviors,
etc. in animals/birds).
But yes, there are 'natural hybrids' that do sometimes occur, even in
aroids!
Julius
| +More |