Question

In a group discussion on pollination, Shubham argued that Cleistogamy was a type of Xenogamy whereas Ameena was of the opinion that it was a kind of Autogamy. Whose argument is correct? Justify.

Answer 1

Ameena is correct.

Justification: Flowers that never open show cleistogamy. Cross-pollination is not possible since the pollen must originate from the same bloom. Therefore, rather than Xenogamy (cross-pollination between genetically different individuals), it is a strictly specialized form of Autogamy (self-pollination).