Sexual reproduction in plants through pollination by pollen from a different plant.
From allo- (other) + -gamy (marriage, union from Greek gamos). Term emerged in 19th-century botany as scientists studied plant reproduction and breeding mechanisms.
Allogamy is nature's way of ensuring that plants don't get stuck mating with themselves—through allogamy, genetics are shuffled, mutations are diluted, and stronger, more resilient plants result from the genetic exchange.
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