cross-pollination

[ kraws-pol-uh-ney-shuhn, kros- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Botany. the transfer of pollen from the flower of one plant to the flower of a plant having a different genetic constitution. Compare self-pollination.
a sharing or interchange of knowledge, ideas, etc., as for mutual enrichment; cross-fertilization.

cross-pollination

See self-pollination
the transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower by the action of wind, insects, etc Compare self-pollination

cross-pollination

The transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ (an anther or a male cone) of one plant to the female reproductive organ (a stigma or a female cone) of another plant. Insects and wind are the main agents of cross-pollination. Most plants reproduce by cross-pollination, which increases the genetic diversity of a population (increases the number of heterozygous individuals). Mechanisms that promote cross-pollination include having male flowers on one plant and female flowers on another, having pollen mature before the stigmas on the same plant are chemically receptive to being pollinated, and having anatomical arrangements (such as stigmas that are taller than anthers) that make self-pollination less likely.

First recorded in 1880–85

How does cross-pollination compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Do you want to see more cross-pollination between Spidey and the other characters in the Marvel universe, like The Avengers?

What are your experiences, from the practical publishing side, of your diversity of book types and cross-pollination of genres?

Plus there's just lots of international cross-pollination among these firms.

All this cross-pollination prompted Politico on Tuesday to question whether Obama and Facebook are getting too cozy.

To make sure of cross pollination nature has in some cases placed the stamens and pistils in different flowers on the same plant.

This observation demonstrated the necessity of great care to prevent cross-pollination.

In the first place we have the cross-pollination leading to the formation of the hybrid plant by cross-fertilisation.

Chestnuts rarely set any nuts that produce mature seed from their own pollen but depend on cross-pollination.

By careful selection and cross pollination many and better varieties will be produced.

April 17, 2024axolotl

[ak-suh-lot-l ]

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