I have seen “androgenous” tagged by text-related software as spelled incorrectly.

Problem:
“Androgenous” is a real word but is not a synonym of “androgynous” even though they often sound alike.

Explanation:
Firefox and OpenOffice.org Writer are examples of a software application that puts a red underline beneath the adjective “androgenous” when one uses the default dictionary that accompanies the application.

“Androgenous” is a real adjective. It means tending to produce male offspring. It comprises the parts “andro” (male) and “genous” (producing).

“Androgynous” is the adjective with which more people seem to be familiar. It means having male and female characteristics. It comprise the parts “andro” (male) and “gyn” (female) and “ous” (possessing).

So a person can be androgenous (with an “e”), androgynous (with a “y”), androgenous (with an “e”) and androgynous (with a “y”), or none of these.

Solution:
Use “androgenous” with an “e” when you want to indicate that an animal tends to produce male offspring. Use “androgynous” with a “y” when you want to describe someone who has both male and female characteristics.