cleistogamy

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Word: Cleistogamy

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Cleistogamy refers to the process in which a plant produces small flowers that do not open. These flowers are capable of self-pollination, meaning they can fertilize themselves without needing to open or receive pollen from other flowers.

Usage Instructions:

• Cleistogamy is often used in discussions about botany (the study of plants).
• You can use it when talking about how certain plants reproduce, especially those that have flowers that remain closed.

Example Sentence:

"The violet plant is known for its cleistogamy, as it produces small flowers that remain closed and can self-pollinate."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might encounter cleistogamy in the context of evolutionary biology, where it is discussed as a survival strategy for plants in unstable environments.

Word Variants:

• Cleistogamous (adjective): Describing a plant that has cleistogamous flowers.
  • Example: "The cleistogamous flowers of the plant ensure that it can reproduce even in isolation."

Related Meanings:

Cleistogamy specifically refers to self-pollination via flowers that do not open. It contrasts with other forms of pollination, such as cross-pollination, where pollen is transferred between different plants.

Synonyms:

• Self-pollination (though not a direct synonym, it describes the process involved in cleistogamy)
• Autogamy (another term for self-fertilization)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that relate directly to cleistogamy, as it is a specialized term primarily used in scientific contexts.

Summary:

Cleistogamy is a specific botanical term referring to a reproductive strategy in plants where small, closed flowers self-pollinate. It is mainly used in scientific discussions about plant biology and reproduction.

Academic

Noun

1. the production of small nonopening self-pollinating flowers