What is sexual reproduction in plants?

Sexual reproduction in plants refers to the process that involves the fusion of male and female gametes, leading to the creation of genetically distinct offspring. This type of reproduction typically requires two parents, one providing pollen (male gamete) and the other providing ovules (female gamete). The genetic material from both parents combines during fertilization, resulting in hybrid vigor and increased diversity within the plant population.

By producing genetically different offspring, sexual reproduction enhances a plant's ability to adapt to changing environments and resist diseases, ultimately contributing to evolutionary processes. This is in contrast to methods of reproduction that involve only one parent or cloning, which do not introduce genetic variation. Thus, the characteristic of requiring two parents and producing offspring with varied genetic makeup is what distinctly defines sexual reproduction in plant biology.