Definition
'Self-pollinating' describes plants that can fertilize themselves. The pollen from the plant fertilizes the ovule of the same plant. This is different from cross-pollination, where pollen comes from another plant. Some plants are exclusively self-pollinating, while others can do both. Self-pollination is a reproductive strategy ensuring offspring even without other plants nearby. Think of it as a plant's ability to 'go solo' in reproduction. It ensures genetic consistency in the offspring.