Term:
Herkogamy (herkogamous)
Herkogamy (herkogamous)
Definition:
In bisexual flowers, the placement of the male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers in different positions within the same plant; for example, a heterostylous species is also a herkogamous species. Approach herkogamy is when the sigma protrodes beyond the stamens and reverse herkogamy is when the anthers protrude beyond the stigma. In the first case, the pollinator touches the stigma before it reaches the anthers and in the second place the pollinator touches the anthers before it reaches the stigma.
In bisexual flowers, the placement of the male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers in different positions within the same plant; for example, a heterostylous species is also a herkogamous species. Approach herkogamy is when the sigma protrodes beyond the stamens and reverse herkogamy is when the anthers protrude beyond the stigma. In the first case, the pollinator touches the stigma before it reaches the anthers and in the second place the pollinator touches the anthers before it reaches the stigma.