What is the definition of spontaneous selfing or spontaneous self-pollination? Is it pollination in the absence of any external stimuli such as wind or insects? The pollen would be from the same plant but does spontaneous imply such pollination is of a flower being pollinated by its own pollen? (I hope this makes sense.) Also, I'm guessing this is different from parthenocarpy in which there is production of fruit without pollination fertilization.
Yep! Often times, this occurs when the stigma is receptive as it emerges through the anthers with mature pollen. So different from parenthocarpy and self-pollination via wind or some other mechanical force. Arabidopsis thaliana does it (spontaneous selfing) all the time.
