chasmogamy

botany

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June 24, 2026

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Chasmogamy refers to the opening of a flower's perianth (petals and sepals) at maturity, allowing for fertilization. This is the typical way most flowers reproduce. It is contrasted with cleistogamy, a phenomenon where flowers remain closed and self-pollinate, often producing more seeds than open-pollinating flowers. The term "chasmogamy" comes from Greek words meaning "opening" and "marriage".12

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Fabales
Characteristic morphological features
…of propagation) is possible (chasmogamous); in others all parts are reduced and the petals do not open, thus enforcing self-pollination (cleistogamous). In the chasmogamous flowers, the sepals are most commonly partly fused, and the five petals alternate in position with the sepals. There are commonly 10 stamens, but there…
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…of propagation) is possible (chasmogamous); in others all parts are reduced and the petals do not open, thus enforcing self-pollination (cleistogamous). In the chasmogamous flowers, the sepals are most commonly partly fused, and the five petals alternate in position with the sepals. There are commonly 10 stamens, but there…
Read More