Hybridization between invasive Spartina densiflora (Poaceae) and native S. foliosa in San Francisco Bay, California, USA.

Rapid evolution in contemporary time can result when related species, brought together through human-aided introduction, hybridize. The significant evolutionary consequences of post-introduction hybridization range from allopolyploid speciation to extinction of species through genetic amalgamation. Both processes are known to occur in the perennial cordgrass genus, Spartina.