Subject: RE: [pbs] Botanical nomenclature From: "Ernie O'Byrne" <eob@peak.org> Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 17:12:39 -0700 To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Since this has come up, I will ask the question that has kept me up nights for years (well, maybe that is an exageration). What is reason behind attaching the x meaning a cross to the word following, for example, Helleborus xericsmithii. It seems that that leads to possible confusion, as in the very example offered. Is it a dry loving hellebore (xeric) named after someone named Smith, or a cross? Although I cannot come up with them right now, I have seen other examples of similar possible confusions. Why is a space not left between the two? Actually, most people, even most nurseries do put in the space, but, I believe, incorrectly. Illumination would be greatly appreciated. Ernie O'Byrne Northwest Garden Nursery 86813 Central Road Eugene, ORegon 97402 USA USDA Z. 7B