heterostyly

views updated

heterostyly A polymorphism among angiosperm flowers that ensures cross-fertilization through pollination by visiting insects. Flowers have anthers and styles of different lengths; usually the anthers of one morph are at the same level as the stigmas of another. A well-known example is the pin-eyed (long style) and thrum-eyed (short style) forms of Primula vulgaris (primrose).

More From encyclopedia.com