dichogamous

American  

[dahy-kog-uh-muhs] / daɪˈkɒg ə məs /

Also dichogamic

adjective

Botany.

1. having the stamens and pistils maturing at different times, thereby preventing self-pollination, as a monoclinous flower (opposed to homogamous).

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dichogamous Scientific  

/ dī-kŏg′ə-məs /

1. Having pistils and stamens that mature at different times, thus promoting cross-pollination rather than self-pollination.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondichogamic
  adjective
• nondichogamous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dichogamous

First recorded in 1855–60; dicho- + -gamous

Example Sentences

Many hermaphrodite plants are, as first shewn by C. K. Sprengel, dichogamous; that is, their male and female organs are not ready at the same time, so that they cannot be self-fertilised.

From The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I by Darwin, Charles

But I have been assured that the flowers of the prevailing Australian trees, namely, the Myrtaceae, swarm with insects, and if they are dichogamous they would be practically diclinous.

From Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Darwin, Charles

In the 6th edition, page 79, Darwin adds, "but if most of the Australian trees are dichogamous, the same result would follow as if they bore flowers with separated sexes."

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

It might well happen that our supposed species did not vary in function in the right manner, so as to become either dichogamous or completely self-sterile, or in structure so as to ensure cross-fertilisation.

From The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species by Darwin, Charles

Sprengel, many hermaphrodite plants are dichogamous; that is, their male and female organs are not ready at the same time, so that they cannot be self-fertilised.

From The Descent of Man by Darwin, Charles