I haven't seen very many hybrid plants in medieval herbals, only one or two that I can think of and I can't remember which ones they were.
It depends how you look at it. Many plants hybridize naturally and eventually some of them become a new species, but the hybrids are not always distinguishable from their parent plants. Without a good microscope, if they look the same, they are the same to the unaided (medieval) eye.
Botany was of little concern to most medieval herbalists. The doctors wanted to know which basic plant cured such-and-such, and the apothecaries wanted to know which ones they could sell to the "wise women" and the doctors (and probably also to other non-professional patrons).
Hybrids were actually more interesting to gardeners than to people using them for medical use. For medical use, you want consistency—a hybrid could have unexpected results (or no results). Gardeners are delighted with hybrids, however, because sometimes you'll get something really different and beautiful (like a multilayered purple rose), or you get a giant melon or a strawberry plant with 20% more berries.
Most medieval herbals were aimed at medical purposes. The interest in garden plants, vegetables, and such was mostly restricted to those with medical uses (like using a melon to promote urination). Ornamentals and hybridized commercial vegies and bulbs (e.g., tulips) didn't really catch on in a big way until the 16th and 17th centuries.
It depends how you look at it. Many plants hybridize naturally and eventually some of them become a new species, but the hybrids are not always distinguishable from their parent plants. Without a good microscope, if they look the same, they are the same to the unaided (medieval) eye.
Botany was of little concern to most medieval herbalists. The doctors wanted to know which basic plant cured such-and-such, and the apothecaries wanted to know which ones they could sell to the "wise women" and the doctors (and probably also to other non-professional patrons).
Hybrids were actually more interesting to gardeners than to people using them for medical use. For medical use, you want consistency—a hybrid could have unexpected results (or no results). Gardeners are delighted with hybrids, however, because sometimes you'll get something really different and beautiful (like a multilayered purple rose), or you get a giant melon or a strawberry plant with 20% more berries.
Most medieval herbals were aimed at medical purposes. The interest in garden plants, vegetables, and such was mostly restricted to those with medical uses (like using a melon to promote urination). Ornamentals and hybridized commercial vegies and bulbs (e.g., tulips) didn't really catch on in a big way until the 16th and 17th centuries.