In a message dated 6/29/2010 1:19:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pbs-request@lists.ibiblio.org writes: Cherry, there are other frequent case where the gender of the species name does not match the gender of the genus name. I agree with you. The official rules do mention exceptions ( of course they do- they're rules aren't they? ) I just wanted to avoid being cumbersome with more info than folks want to swallow. I suggest that one google " Rules of botanical nomenclature" if you want precise information. Afterwards, we all can turn in our papers to earn our Pphd's.