What is self-pollination?

Self-pollination is the process in which pollen is transferred from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower. This mechanism allows a plant to fertilize itself, which can be advantageous in environments where pollinators are scarce or when plants are isolated. Self-pollination ensures that the genetic material remains within the same plant, leading to the production of seeds that are genetically similar to the parent plant. This process is common in many flowering plants, especially those that have evolved to be hermaphroditic, meaning they contain both male and female reproductive organs.

Flowers that undergo self-pollination often have structures that facilitate this process, such as closeness of their reproductive parts or the timing of their flowering, ensuring that the pollen is available when the stigma is receptive. In contrast, other options involve interactions with different plants or mechanisms that do not pertain to the actual transfer of pollen for fertilization.