In the botanical world, cleistogamy is a fascinating occurrence where certain plants self-pollinate. The term 'cleistogamy' is derived from a Greek word meaning 'sealed marriage'. Flowers that exhibit this behavior are referred to as cleistogamous flowers. This phenomenon is common among the grass family, including species like barley, oats, and violets. Interestingly, violets display both cleistogamy and its opposite, chasmogamy.
Cleistogamy: Features, Advantages and Disadvantages | Testbook.com
Last Updated on Jul 31, 2023
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Characteristics of Cleistogamous Flowers
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The flowers remain unopened
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They have inconspicuous petals
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The reproductive parts are enclosed within the flower
The Upsides of Cleistogamy
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They conserve energy and resources by not producing showy flowers
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They don't rely on pollinators for
pollination
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They can generate seeds even under harsh and unfavorable conditions
The Drawbacks of Cleistogamy
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The primary disadvantage of cleistogamy is its inability to produce genetically diverse seeds due to self-pollination
For additional reading:
- Different Types of Pollination – Self and Cross-Pollination, Pollinating Agents
- What Are The Benefits Of Self-pollination?
- State 3 drawbacks of self-pollination
- Is Geitonogamy A Cross-pollination Or Self-pollination?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are cleistogamous flowers? Write their significance.
Cleistogamous flowers are the ones that do not open and show self-pollination. The advantage of a cleistogamous flower is that they are not dependent on pollinators, hence producing seeds in all conditions.
Do you think that cleistogamy has advantages or disadvantages for the plant? Why?
Cleistogamy has both advantages and disadvantages, the advantage being the production of seeds even in adverse conditions and the disadvantage being lack of genetic diversity in the seeds produced.
What is meant by Herkogamy?
Herkogamy is a strategy applied by the plant to avoid self-pollination. In this technique, the plant produces anther and stigma in such a way that they have spatial differences between them.
What is the difference between Chasmogamy and Cleistogamy?
Chasmogamy is the process of cross-pollination in flowers that are showy and exposed to the environment, whereas cleistogamy is the self-pollination of closed flowers.
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