Occasionally, the pollen from a flower can land on its own stigma or on the stigma of another flower on the same plant - this is known as self-pollination

Self-pollination is a fascinating process that occurs in certain flowering plants where pollen from the same flower lands on its stigma or the stigma of another flower on the same plant. This mechanism plays a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of these plants, providing a way for them to fertilize themselves without the need for external pollinators, such as bees or wind.

In self-pollination, the flower's structure is typically designed to facilitate this process. Many flowers possess both male (stamens) and female (pistils) reproductive organs, allowing them to produce pollen and receive it on the stigma of their own flowers. This can lead to consistent genetic traits in the offspring, as they are primarily derived from the same plant's genetic material.

However, while self-pollination ensures a plant can reproduce in isolation, it also can reduce genetic diversity within a population because the offspring are genetically similar to the parent plant. In contrast, cross-pollination, which involves pollen transfer between different plants, promotes greater genetic variation and adaptability to environmental changes.

In summary, self-pollination is a significant reproductive strategy for many flowering plants, allowing them to thrive in various conditions while also implying certain genetic limitations compared to cross-pollination methods.