pistillody

Pistillody is a term used in botany to describe the phenomenon where a plant produces only pistils (female reproductive structures) and lacks stamens (male reproductive structures). This condition is often observed in plants that are adapted to self-pollination or in species where the primary function of the plant is to produce seeds rather than to compete for pollinators. Pistillody can be a result of genetic mutations, environmental factors, or evolutionary adaptations. In some cases, pistillate plants may still produce small, non-functional stamens, but these are not capable of producing pollen. The absence of stamens in pistillate plants can lead to reduced competition for resources and increased reproductive success in certain environments. Pistillody is a notable example of sexual dimorphism in plants, where the male and female reproductive structures are not equally represented.