self-fertilization

noun

1. Botany. fertilization of an ovum of a plant by a male gamete from the same flower (opposed to cross-fertilization).
2. Zoology. fertilization of the ovum of a hermaphroditic animal by a sperm from the same individual, as in some species of tapeworm.

noun

1. fertilization in a plant or animal by the fusion of male and female gametes produced by the same individualCompare cross-fertilization

1. Fertilization that occurs when male and female gametes produced by the same organism unite. Self-fertilization occurs in many protozoans and invertebrate animals. It results from self-pollination in plants. Self-fertilization allows an isolated individual organism to reproduce but restricts the genetic diversity of a community. Compare cross-fertilization.