Autophytic Plants: Self-Fertile and Self-Sufficient

Autophytic plants are those that can complete their life cycle from seed to seed without any external pollination or fertilization. In other words, they are self-fertile and do not require cross-pollination with another plant to produce seeds. This means that autophytic plants can reproduce on their own, without the need for a second plant of the same species.

Autophytic plants have evolved this ability to ensure their survival in areas where there may be limited or no pollinators present. They are often found in isolated locations, such as on remote islands or in high-altitude environments, where there may be few or no other plants of the same species to provide pollination services.

Examples of autophytic plants include certain species of orchids, succulents, and other plants that have evolved self-fertilization mechanisms. These plants may have specialized structures, such as self-pollinating flowers or modified reproductive organs, that allow them to reproduce on their own.