Plant Structure - Fruit

What is the pericarp?

The ovary wall - the pericarp often appears as two or three distinct layers called the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp.

Where is fruit found?

The structure known as a "fruit" is found only in the members of the Angiosperms.

What is a berry - hesperidum?

This is a special type of berry in which a leathery rind forms; the interior of the fruit divided by septa, indicating the number of carpels. (citrus).

What is a berry - pepo?

This is a special type of berry in which a relatively hard rind is formed; the interior of fruit not divided by septa. (watermelon, gourds, squash).

What is a berry proper?

A berry with a thin skin (e.g. grape, tomato, blueberries, currents, peppers)

What is a dry fruit?

Fruits in which the coat becomes dry at maturity. Dry fruits can be classified as Dehiscent or Indehiscent.

What is the mesocarp?

Middle layer

What is the exocarp?

Outer layer, also called epicarp

What is a legume?

A dry dehiscent fruit developed from 1 carpel and at maturity splitting along both the dorsal and ventral sutures. (beans, peas).

What is a follicle?

A dry dehiscent fruit developed from 1 carpel and at maturity splitting along only one suture. (larkspur, columbine)

What is a capsule?

A dry dehiscent fruit developed from several carpels.

What is a nut?

A dry, indehiscent, one seeded fruit similar to an achene but with the wall greatly thickened and hardened. (beech, chestnut, oak, hazel; walnut and hickory - note: because of extrafloral bracts, or "husk", the latter two fruits are sometimes called "drupes").

What is an accessory fruit?

A fruit developed from the ovary and its contents plus additional parts of the flower such as the receptacle, petals, and sepals is known as an accessory fruit (e.g. pineapple).

What is a true fruit?

A fruit developed solely from the ovary and its contents is known as a true fruit.

What is an aggregate fruit?

A fruit formed by the development of a number of pistils from the same flower. The individual units may be berries or other specific types. (raspberry, strawberry).

What is a multiple fruit?

A fruit formed by the development of a number of pistils often with accessory parts, the pistils being from a number of flowers. (mulberry, fig).

What is a schizocarp?

A fruit formed from several carpels, each carpel of this pistil enclosing a single ovule, at maturity the carpels separate as separate indehiscent fruits. (mallow, wild carrot, dill).

What is a fleshy fruit?

A fruit in which the wall becomes soft and fleshy as it matures.

What is a simple fruit?

A fruit that develops from a single ovary in a single flower. Simple fruits may be fleshy or dry. There are three main kinds of fleshy simple fruit: the berry, the drupe, and the pome.

What is a samara?

A one- or two-seeded dry, indehiscent fruit in which part of the fruit wall grows out into a wing. (elm, maple, ash).

What is a grain?

A one-seeded dry, indehiscent fruit in which the fruit wall and the seed coat are fused. (wheat, corn, grasses).

What is a drupe?

A one-seeded simple fruit developed from a superior ovary in which the innermost portion of the wall (endocarp) becomes hard and stony, the outermost part (exocarp) becomes a relatively thin skin, and the middle portion between the skin and the stone (mesocarp) becomes either fleshy or fibrous. (cherry, coconut, walnut and hickory - note: because of extrafloral bracts, or "husk", the latter two fruits are sometimes called "drupes", but best called "nuts").

What is achene?

A one-seeded, dry, indehiscent fruit; the one seed is attached to the fruit wall at a single point. (buttercups, dandelion, sunflower).

What is a berry?

A simple fruit in which the ovary wall or at least its inner portions become enlarged and usually juicy. (grape, banana, gooseberry).

When do ovules develop into seeds?

After a flower is pollinated and fertilized.

What is a pome?

An accessory fleshy fruit formed by a group of carpels more or less firmly united with each other and surrounded by and united to the floral tube or receptacle. (apple, pear, mountain ash). Endocarp forming a core. Rest of fruit accessory

Hierarchy of Fruit Types

I Simple Fruits 1.1. Fleshy Fruits 1.1.1 Berry 1.1.2. Drupe 1.1.3. Pome 1.2. Dry Fruits 1.2.1. Dehiscent 1.2.2. Indehiscent II Aggeregate Fruit III Multiple Fruit

What is the endocarp?

Inner layer

What is a silique?

Like a legume except that it arises from a flower with two united carpels so that the slender bean fruit splits with a partition between the two.