dichogamy
/daɪˈkɑɡəmi/
noun
- The condition in a plant where male and female reproductive parts mature at different times, encouraging cross-pollination.
- Dichogamy is common in many fruit trees to increase genetic diversity.
- In dichogamy, the timing of pollen release and stigma receptivity do not overlap.
- The study of dichogamy helps botanists understand how plants avoid self-fertilization.