Note that this key does not follow all the rules for the construction of keys. If you plan on printing this out make sure you adjust the font size so all the text fits on the screen.
1a. Fruit compound (false), derived from more than 1 pistil:
2a. Fruit derived from 1 flower with more than 1 pistil - Aggregate - strawberry, rose hip, raspberry
2b. Fruit derived from more than 1 flower - Multiple Fruit - pineapple, sweetgum, fig, mulberry
1b. Fruit simple (true), derived from 1 flower with 1 pistil
3a. Fruits fleshy:
4a. One seed enclosed in bony endocarp (pit) - Drupe - peach, cherry, plum, olive, coconut
4b. More than one seed:
5a. No bony, leathery or papery endocarp (berries):
6a. Ovary superior:
7a. Thin skin - True Berry - tomato, grape, coffee
7b. Leathery skin with oils (citrus family) - Hesperidium - all citrus fruits
6b. Ovary inferior, fruit with rind (gourd family) - Pepo - cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, squash
5b. Leathery or papery endocarp, inferior ovary - Pome - apple, pear
3b. Fruits dry:
7a. Indehiscent:
8a. Fruits with a wing - Samara - ash, maple, tulip tree
8b. Fruits without a wing:
9a. With a hard shell - Nut - acorn, macadamia
9b. Without a hard shell:
10a. Pericarp fused entirely to seed coat (grass family) - Caryopsis (grain) - all cereals
10b. Pericarp not fused entirely to seed coat - Achene - sunflower
7b. Dehiscent:
11a. Derived from several fused carpels, opening by slits, pores or a cap - Capsule - cotton, poppy
11b. Derived from 1 or 2 fused carpels, dehiscing lengthwise:
12a. Fruit with persistent septum (replum) (mustard family):
13a. Long & thin - Silique - mustard
13b. Short & fat - Silicle - shepherd's purse
12b. No persistent septum:
14a. Dehiscent along 1 edge - Follicle - milkweed, magnolia
14b. Dehiscent along 2 edges (legume family) - Legume - peanuts, all beans
