This term is more commonly used today than its synonym, protergynous, also defined by Webster 1913. Protgyny refers to the phenomenon in which an organism is first functionally female, then becomes male. It's commonly used to refer to plants whose flowers first become receptive to being pollinated, then release pollen.

Pro*tog"y*nous (?), a. [Proto + Gr. gynh` a woman.] Bot.

Same as Proterogynous.

 

© Webster 1913.

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