Allogamous

/əˈlɒɡəməs/ adjective

Definition

Of or relating to plants that reproduce sexually through cross-pollination from different plants.

Etymology

From allo- (other) + -gamous (reproducing through union, from Greek gamos). Botanical term developed alongside microscopy and genetics to describe breeding patterns in plants.

Kelly Says

Allogamous plants literally 'need' to mate with a different plant—they've evolved to be incompatible with their own pollen, which is nature's way of forcing genetic diversity and preventing inbreeding depression.

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