What does the term 'dioecious' indicate about certain plants?

The term 'dioecious' refers specifically to plants that have male and female reproductive structures on separate individuals. This means that in a dioecious species, one plant will produce only male flowers while another will produce only female flowers. This separation of sexes is important for the breeding and genetic diversity of these plants, as it requires cross-pollination between male and female plants to produce seeds. This characteristic is in contrast to monoecious plants, which have both male and female flowers on the same individual, allowing for self-fertilization or cross-pollination within a single plant. Understanding this distinction is essential when studying plant reproduction and ecology, especially in aquatic environments where different reproductive strategies can impact biodiversity and ecosystem health.