unisexual

[ yoo-nuh-sek-shoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to one sex only.
2. having only male or female organs in one individual, as an animal or a flower.
3. unisex.

unisexual

/ ˌjuːnɪˈsɛksjʊəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to one sex only
2. (of some organisms) having either male or female reproductive organs but not both

unisexual

/ yo̅o̅′nĭ-sĕk′sho̅o̅-əl /

1. Having the sex organs of only one sex; not hermaphroditic. Used of organisms.
2. Having stamens and pistils in separate flowers borne on the same plant; diclinous. Used of flowers.

Derived Forms

• ˌuniˌsexuˈality, noun
• ˌuniˈsexually, adverb

Other Words From

• uni·sexu·ali·ty noun
• uni·sexu·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unisexual¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; uni- + sexual

Example Sentences

Sun and Duke mycologist Joseph Heitman have described unisexual reproduction in detail in the single-celled fungus Cryptococcus, and researchers in Germany recently documented it in an edible species.

From Science Magazine

The study offers one of few examples of “unisexual reproduction” observed so far in wild mushrooms, although there are more and more examples from lab-based studies.

From Science Magazine

Unisexual plants are very likely a derivative that emerged in response to pollinators.

From Scientific American

Dr Jason Hilton from the University of Birmingham, UK, who was not involved in the study, said: "The structure and organisation of the ancestral flower has remained enigmatic. For instance, we don't know if the oldest flowers were unisexual or bisexual, or if they were pollinated by wind or insects."

From BBC

Flowers can be unisexual or bisexual and this study infers a bisexual early flower with both male and female organs.

From BBC