self-pollination
Quick Summary
Self-pollination, or autogamy, occurs when a flower's ovule is fertilized by pollen from the same flower or another flower on the same plant. While this method can be reliable in stable environments, cross-pollination, where pollen comes from a different plant, offers evolutionary advantages. Cross-pollination leads to more varied offspring, increasing the species' ability to adapt to changing environments.123
Plants have developed various mechanisms to facilitate self-pollination, especially when pollinators are scarce or plants are widely spaced. Some flowers self-pollinate at the end of their lifespan if cross-pollination hasn't occurred. Extreme forms include cleistogamy, where flowers remain closed, and apomixis, the development of seeds without fertilization.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
FabalesCharacteristic morphological featuresā¦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 may be fewer or more. The stamens may remain free or they may be fusedā¦
Read Moreā¦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 may be fewer or more. The stamens may remain free or they may be fusedā¦
Read More
flowerPollinationā¦chief kinds of pollination: (1) self-pollination, the pollination of a stigma by pollen from the same flower or another flower on the same plant; and (2) cross-pollination, the transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower of one plant to the stigma of the flower of another plant ofā¦
Read Moreā¦chief kinds of pollination: (1) self-pollination, the pollination of a stigma by pollen from the same flower or another flower on the same plant; and (2) cross-pollination, the transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower of one plant to the stigma of the flower of another plant ofā¦
Read More
ZygophyllalesZygophyllaceaeā¦placed onto the stigma, effecting self-pollination. This is a remarkable instance in which seed formation is ensured by self-pollination if necessary, but cross-pollination is first attempted. This is an important adaptation in a genus of plants growing in arid areas where their pollinators might not be present or abundant.
Read Moreā¦placed onto the stigma, effecting self-pollination. This is a remarkable instance in which seed formation is ensured by self-pollination if necessary, but cross-pollination is first attempted. This is an important adaptation in a genus of plants growing in arid areas where their pollinators might not be present or abundant.
Read More
orchidSelf-pollinationSelf-pollination occurs in a significant number of orchids. Several degrees of this phenomenon may be found in a single genus, from species in which accidental self-pollination results in fertilization to those in which the flowers never open, yet are capable of producing fertile seed. Inā¦
Read MoreSelf-pollination occurs in a significant number of orchids. Several degrees of this phenomenon may be found in a single genus, from species in which accidental self-pollination results in fertilization to those in which the flowers never open, yet are capable of producing fertile seed. Inā¦
Read More