self-sownadj.

1608 H. Plat Floraes Paradise Beautified 71 These seedes will also come vp wel, being self-sowen.

1664 J. Evelyn Sylva Introd. 3 Oaklings, young Beeches, Ash,..spring from the self-sown mast and keys.

1745 G. Ridley Jovi Eleutherio 10 The free Bounty of the self-sown Field.

a1746 E. Holdsworth Remarks & Diss. Virgil (1768) 85 He means self-sown plants, and adds—‘Nullis hominum cogentibus’,—to explain his meaning.

1778 J. Abercrombie Universal Gardener & Botanist at Chenopodium The scattered or self-sown seeds of the Belvedere, in autumn, frequently grow, and the plants rise strong in the spring.

1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. i. 24 The trees and flowers remain By Nature's care perpetuate and self-sown.

1819 Times 20 Dec. A self-sown species of poetry, which fixed its broad roots in the habits, the sympathies, the affections of the people.

1870 Amer. Naturalist 4 530 A laburnum tree, produces each spring a plentiful crop of self-sown young trees, which come up without the least care or protection.

1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 379 The annuals being self-sown year by year.

1968 G. Jones Hist. Vikings iii. v. 301 The land yielded wild grapes, self-sown wheat, and tall timber.

2003 Org. Gardening Sept. 39/1 Angelica..very often produces self-sown seedlings which the gardener can move to a suitable location.