cleistogamy

Definition

The production of flowers which do not open and are self-fertilized in the bud.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κλειστός (kleistós, “closed”) + -gamy.

Example Sentences

• "In a species that produces fruits from self-pollination and from cross-pollination, self-pollinated fruits generally produce many more seeds than fruits produced from cross-pollination. This suggests the likelihood that cleistogamy arose in those species because cross-pollination was not always effective."