What is a dioecious plant?

A dioecious plant is one in which individual plants bear either male or female reproductive structures, but not both. This means that a single plant will produce only male flowers or only female flowers, requiring a plant of the opposite sex nearby for pollination and reproduction.

Characteristics of Dioecious Plants

• Male and female flowers are found on separate plants; thus, there are distinct male and female individuals within the species.
• Dioecious plants rely on cross-pollination (xenogamy) between male and female plants for seed formation.
• This reproductive separation promotes genetic diversity and prevents self-pollination.
• Common examples include papaya, holly, date palm, asparagus, kiwi, and cannabis.