What does bigeneric mean?
Bigeneric is a technical adjective used primarily in botany and taxonomy to describe something involving two genera — the groupings into which related species are classified. Its most frequent application is to hybrids created by crossing plants from two different genera, as in the garden plant ×Heucherella, which combines the genera Heuchera and Tiarella. Such crosses are rarer than ordinary interspecific hybrids because the parent plants must be closely enough related to be fertile together, which makes successful bigeneric combinations noteworthy among plant breeders. In botanical nomenclature, bigeneric hybrids are traditionally signaled by a multiplication sign placed before their names. The word derives from the Latin prefix bi-, meaning "two," combined with "generic," from genus. Because it belongs to specialized scientific vocabulary, bigenic terms like this one rarely appear outside technical literature, gardening publications, and academic writing on plant classification and breeding.
adjectiveRelating to or involving two genera, especially in biological taxonomy. Most commonly used to describe hybrids produced by crossing plants from two different genera.
- Of or relating to two genera, especially describing a hybrid or cross between organisms belonging to two different genera.
"The bigeneric hybrid ×Fatshedera lizei arose from a cross between Fatsia and Hedera."
"The orchid breeder celebrated a successful bigeneric cross that combined traits from two related genera."
"×Heucherella, a bigeneric hybrid of Heuchera and Tiarella, has become a popular shade-garden perennial."
In botany, when two entire genera — not just species — are crossed, the result gets its own special name: a bigeneric hybrid, often marked with an × before its name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bigeneric
Bigeneric combines the Latin-derived prefix bi-, meaning "two," with the adjective "generic," itself rooted in the Latin noun genus, meaning "birth, origin, race, or kind." Genus is the same root that gives English such cognates as "gender," "genre," "generate," and "generous." The term emerged in scientific usage as taxonomy formalized the rank of genus, and it remains current in botanical and horticultural contexts today.
How bigeneric is actually used
Bigeneric is a technical term used almost exclusively in botany, horticulture, and taxonomy. It appears most often in the phrase "bigeneric hybrid." Bigeneric hybrids are conventionally indicated in botanical nomenclature by a multiplication sign (×) preceding the name.
Easily confused with bigeneric
"Generic" means general or not specific, while "bigeneric" specifically means involving two genera (taxonomic groupings).