protandry

views updated May 18 2018

protandry
1. The condition in which the male reproductive organs (stamens) of a flower mature before the female ones (carpels), thereby ensuring that self-fertilization does not occur. Examples of protandrous flowers are ivy and rosebay willowherb. Compare protogyny; homogamy. See also dichogamy.

2. The condition in some hermaphrodite or colonial invertebrates in which the male gonads or individuals are sexually mature before the female ones. Compare protogyny.

protandry

views updated May 23 2018

protandry
1. The production of sperm in males before females produce eggs (e.g. some roundworms).

2. The arrival of males before females at breeding grounds (e.g. many territorial bird species). Compare PROTOGYNY.

3. In sequential hermaphrodites, the occurrence of the male form in younger, smaller individuals and the female in larger, older individuals.

protandry

views updated May 17 2018

protandry(adj.protandrous)
1. In plants, the maturation of anthers (i.e. male organs) before carpels (female organs).

2. The production of sperm in males before females produce eggs (e.g. some roundworms).

3. The arrival of males before females at breeding grounds (e.g. many territorial bird species). Compare protogyny.

protandry

views updated May 21 2018

protandry (adj. protandrous) In plants (e.g. dandelion), the maturation of anthers (i.e. male organs) before carpels (female organs).