FRUITS
I. Fruit = a mature, or ripened, ovary along with its contents and any
adhering structures
A. Contrast with vegetable = a vegetative (non reproductive) part
II. Fruit development
A. While the seeds are developing the ovary wall (and sometimes other
tissues) develops into the fruit wall (pericarp)
B. Pericarp = the fruit wall. There are three layers, but they are
not always distinguishable:
1. Endocarp - inner layer
2. Mesocarp - middle layer
3. Exocarp - outer layer.
C. The type of fruit that forms will be determined by the insertion of the
floral parts, placentation, ovary wall development and sometimes other tissues
involved in its formation
III. Fruit classification
A. Number of pistils it is derived from:
1. True (simple) fruit - derived from a flower with one pistil
2. False (compound) fruit - derived from more than one pistil
B. Position of the ovary
1. Superior
2. Inferior
C. Mature pericarp
1. Dry - pericarp remains thin and dry
2. Fleshy - pericarp (and sometimes accessory tissues) enlarge and become
fleshy to attract seed dispersers
D. How the seeds are released (applies only to dry fruits)
1. Dehiscent - the pericarp splits open at predetermined point(s)
2. Indehiscent - the pericarp does not split open at predetermined
point(s)
IV. A key to the common fruits is available here. You
should print it out and bring to both lecture and lab.
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