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self-sown

American  
[self-sohn] / ˈsɛlfˈsoʊn /

adjective

  1. sown by itself, or without human or animal agency, as of a plant grown from seeds dropped from another plant.

  2. sown by any agency other than humans, as of a plant grown from seeds scattered by birds or the wind.


self-sown British  

adjective

  1. Also: self-seeded.  (of plants) growing from seed dispersed by any means other than by the agency of man or animals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of self-sown

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dug was self-sown but Craig-Brown said that with all his subsequent research into giant potatoes, he’s ready to try and deliberately grow a record-breaking monster next season.

From Seattle Times

Doug must have been self-sown, and quite possibly growing for a couple of years or more.

From Seattle Times

Likewise, self-sown tomato seedlings that pop up in the garden next spring could carry certain pathogens, including Septoria.

From Seattle Times

As we walk the property on a cold winter’s afternoon, we see a tiny chickadee-like bird flitting through the canopy of a spindly self-sown tree.

From Washington Post

He also wrote, “Many plants in this garden are self-sown and they often provide me with excellent ideas.”

From New York Times