Question

What is cleistogamy? Write one advantage and one disadvantage of it, to the plant.

Answer 1

Cleistogamous flowers are flowers that do not open at all. Cleistogamy refers to the self-pollination which occurs in unopened flowers.

Advantage of cleistogamy:

Cleistogamous flowers produce assured seed-set even in the absence of pollinators. In other words, it can be said that cleistogamous plants can propagate itself under unfavorable conditions.

Disadvantage of cleistogamy:

Cleistogamous flowers undergo self-pollination occurs which reduces the chances of variation and evolution of genetically superior progeny.