Definition
dioicous
adjective
- having male and female reproductive organs on separate individual plants or organisms
Usage: botany; biology; also spelled 'dioecious'
Examples
- Ginkgo trees are dioicous, with male and female trees growing separately.
- Many ferns and mosses are dioicous, requiring both male and female plants for reproduction.
- The dioicous nature of holly plants means you need both male and female specimens for berry production.
- In dioicous species, pollination must occur between distinct male and female individuals.
- Ash trees are dioicous plants commonly found in temperate forests.