Definition
dichogamy
noun
- The condition in which the male and female reproductive organs of a flower mature at different times, preventing self-fertilization.
Usage: botany; technical
Examples
- Dichogamy is an important reproductive strategy that promotes cross-pollination in many plant species.
- In protandrous dichogamy, the flower's stamens release pollen before the pistil becomes receptive.
- Protogynous dichogamy occurs when the pistil matures before the stamens produce pollen.
- Many flowering plants exhibit dichogamy to avoid the genetic problems associated with self-fertilization.
- Botanists study dichogamy to understand how plants ensure genetic diversity in their offspring.