A monoecious plant is defined as which of the following?

• A. A plant that has only male flowers
• B. A plant that has only female flowers
• C. A plant that has male and female flowers on the same plant
• D. A plant that has both male and female flowers but on different plants

Answer: (C)

Monoecious means a plant has both male and female flowers on the same individual, with distinct male flowers and distinct female flowers occurring on one plant. This arrangement allows pollen to move from the male flowers to the female flowers on the same plant or to nearby plants, supporting fruit and seed production. Examples include corn, cucumbers, and squash. In contrast, having only male or only female flowers on a plant describes unisexual plants, and having male and female flowers on different plants describes dioecious species.