Cross-pollination 2026-10-14
Transfer of pollen between different individuals of the same species; compare self-pollination.[ref]
32.2 Pollination and Fertilization. Biology 2e, §32.2 opening paragraphs: self-pollination and cross-pollination
A flower can contain both reproductive groups and still receive pollen from another individual. Conversely, transfer between two flowers on one plant does not by itself imply cross-pollination. Following the donor and recipient individuals makes pollination useful for studying genetics: organ position alone cannot identify whose alleles meet at fertilization.