NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Why are cleistogamous flowers invariably autogamous?
Options
- ABecause they rely on pollinators
- BBecause their anthers and stigma are far apart
- CBecause their anthers and stigma lie close to each other
- DBecause they open fully for pollination
Correct answer
C. Because their anthers and stigma lie close to each other
Step-by-step solution
Autogamy: In this type, pollination is achieved within the same flower. Transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same flower lie close to each other so that self-pollination can occur. Some plants such as Viola (common pansy), Oxalis, and Commelina produce two types of flowers – chasmogamous flowers which are similar to flowers of other species with exposed anthers and stigma, and cleistogamous flowers which do not open at all. In such flowers, the anthers and stigma lie close to each other. W