Hermaphrodite facts for kids

Hermaphrodite is a term which comes from Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite. It is used as a scientific term in biology.

In zoology, an animal which can produce both sperm and ova is a hermaphrodite. As an example, most earthworms are hermaphrodites. A simultaneous hermaphrodite has both sets of sex organs throughout life. A sequential hermaphrodite has ovaries at first, replaced by a testis later, or the other way round.

In botany, hermaphrodite is used for 'complete' flowers with both male and female parts, and for plants which have bisexual reproductive units. See flowering plant sexuality for details.

Images for kids

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  Mating Cornu aspersum (garden snails)

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  Shells of Crepidula fornicata (common slipper shell)

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  Most species of parrotfish start life as females and later change into males.

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  Hylocereus undatus, a hermaphrodite plant with perfect flowers that have both functional carpels and stamens.

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  The Obando Fertility Rites in the Philippines, before becoming a Catholic festival, was initially an Anitist ritual dedicated to the hermaphrodite deity, Lakapati, who presided over fertility.

See also

In Spanish: Hermafroditismo para niños