protogyny

noun

pro·​tog·​y·​ny

prōˈtäjənē

plural -es

: a state in hermaphroditic systems that is characterized by development of female organs or maturation of their products before the appearance of the corresponding male product thus inhibiting self-fertilization and that is encountered in apples, pears, figworts, and among several groups of invertebrate animals compare protandry

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary protogynous + -y

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