by Mary Free, Extension Master Gardener
Dichogamy is a cross-pollination strategy where a flower’s stamens—male reproductive organs—and stigmas—female reproductive organs—mature at different times to prevent self-pollination. In protogyny, flowers are functionally female first and male second. What is the term for the process in reverse—when stamens mature before stigmas?
Among flowering plants, it is more common for stamens to release pollen prior to the stigmas being receptive. This occurs more frequently among bee- and fly-pollinated flowers, like asters, mallows, and mints. Learn more here about how these intriguing processes work.
