Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which term refers specifically to a plant that has both male and female reproductive organs?

1. Dioecious

2. Monoecious

3. Staminate

4. Petalate

The correct answer is: Monoecious

The term that specifically refers to a plant having both male and female reproductive organs is monoecious. In monoecious plants, individual plants produce both types of reproductive structures, allowing for the possibility of self-pollination or cross-pollination with other plants. This characteristic is significant in the context of plant breeding and agriculture because it can affect how plants reproduce and how successful they are in producing seeds and fruits. Dioecious, on the other hand, refers to a plant species in which individual plants are either male or female, meaning that they possess only one type of reproductive structure. This means that both male and female plants are needed for pollination and seed production. Staminate refers to male flowers that produce pollen, while petalate does not relate to reproductive organs at all, as it is not a standard botanical term associated with plant reproduction. This context clarifies the distinctions between these terms and confirms why monoecious is the correct choice.