What is it called when pollen is transferred to the stigma of the same flower?

Self-pollination refers to the process where pollen from the anther of a flower fertilizes the stigma of the same flower. This can occur in flowers that have both male and female reproductive organs, allowing them to reproduce without the need for pollen from another flower. Self-pollination is advantageous in stable environments because it ensures reproduction even when pollinators are scarce or when conditions are not conducive to cross-pollination.

In contrast, cross-pollination involves the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of a different flower, promoting genetic diversity. Allogamy is a term often used synonymously with cross-pollination. Autogamy, while closely related to self-pollination, typically refers to a specific mechanism or process by which self-pollination occurs, but in general discussions, self-pollination is the more common term used.