What does selfing mean?
Selfing is a specialized biological term for reproduction that occurs without fertilization by pollen or gametes from a separate individual. In its most familiar botanical use, it refers to a plant being fertilized by pollen from the same plant, a process also known as self-pollination or self-fertilization. Selfing can benefit a plant when pollinators are scarce because it removes the need to transfer pollen between flowers or individuals. It may also promote the establishment of a new population from a single seed or organism. Selfing is commonly discussed in studies of plant mating systems, breeding behavior, genetic diversity, and reproductive isolation. Its frequency varies greatly among species: some plants regularly self, while others rely mainly on cross-pollination. Because the term is technical, speakers often prefer self-pollination when explaining the everyday process.
nounIn botany and genetics, the process by which a plant is fertilized by pollen from the same plant. The term may also refer more broadly to sexual reproduction involving gametes produced by the same individual or genetically similar individuals.
- The process of a plant being fertilized by pollen from the same plant, or more broadly a form of reproduction in which an individual mates with itself or with genetically similar individuals.
"The researchers compared the plants' selfing rates with their rates of cross-pollination."
"Selfing allows the plant to reproduce even when insect pollinators are absent."
"The population's unusually high selfing has reduced its genetic diversity."
The plural is used when referring to separate instances of the process.
"Repeated selfings can reduce variation within a population."
Plant selfing is reproductive insurance: when pollinators are scarce, a flower can still use pollen from the same plant.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does selfing come from?
Selfing is a modern English formation built from self and the suffix -ing. It belongs to a larger family of English words derived from self, including selfish, selfless, and selfhood. The biological sense developed from the general idea of an individual acting or reproducing in association with itself.
How selfing is actually used
This is chiefly a technical term in botany, genetics, and evolutionary biology. In everyday discussion, self-pollination is usually clearer.