Fruits and Seeds

fruit

simply the fertilized and ripened ovary, together with any floral organ that may be attached to it

true fruits

fruits deeveloped entirely from the ovary

pseu fruits

other floral parts may also be incorporated with fruits

seed protection, seed dispersal, chemical defense

significance of fruit formation

simple fruit

derived from a single ovary (consisting of one or several fused carpels) of one flower

aggregate fruits

originates from one flower with many ovaries

multiple fruits

several flowers of an inflorescence crowded together on one stem

pericarp

the edible part of the fruit formed from the wall of the ripened ovary

exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp

three layers of the pericarp

exocarp

the outermost layer of the pericarp that forms the tough, outer skin of the fruit. It protects the inner parts of the fruit from damage

mesocarp

he middle layer of the pericarp. It is the fleshy, edible part of the fruit found in apples, mangoes, and peaches

endocarp

forms the innermost layer of the pericarp that immediately surrounds the seed. It protects the seed from damage.

seed

They are structures that enclose the developing embryo of a plant.

Seed Coat

It is the protective outer covering of the seed. It further consists of two layers, the thick outer testa and the delicate inner tegmen.

Endosperm

Found below the seed coat, it is rich in starch and proteins that act as reserve foods for the developing embryo.

Fleshy

when the pericarp is soft, juicy (or pulpy) or succulent

Dry

when the pericarp is dry or papery upon maturity

berry

derived from a fleshy ovary enclosing several seeds

hesperidium

derived from a fleshy ovary enclosing several seeds. has thick leathery skin containing oil

Pepo

derived from a fleshy ovary enclosing several seeds. has hard, thick rind

drupe

an indehiscent type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a single shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. these fruits usually develop from a single carpel, and mostly from flowers with superior ovaries

fleshy drupe

fleshy mesocarp and ovary. seed enclosed within a stony endocarp

fibrous drupe

fibrous mesocarp and fleshy ovary. seed enclosed within a stony endocarp

pome

fleshy part derived mainly from torus. ovary surrounded by fleshy hypanthium

Follicle

dry fruit derived from one carpel splitting along one seam

legume or pod

dry fruit derived from one carpel splitting along two seams

silique

dry fruit derived from two or more carpel with persistent position wall after splitting

capsule

derived from two or more carpel splitting in one or four ways

grain or caryopsis

seed inseparable from the fruit wall

samara / key

seed separable from the fruit wall. fruit with wings

nut

fruit without wings and with very hard fruit wall. has only one seed

achene

seed without wings and with thin fruit wall. one seed attached to ovary at one point

schizocarp

seed not coming out of fruit although united carpels split apart at maturity

Diaspore

dispersal unit

Atelochory

absence of specialized dispersal unit

Autochory

self-dispersal

Anemochory

wind dispersal

hydrochory

water dispersal

zoochory

animal dispersal

epizoochory or exozoic

seeds can be transported on the outside of animals

endozoochory pr endozoic

seed dispersal via ingestion by animals

mymecochory

ants dispersal

seed coat

outer covering of the seed

hilum

where the seed was attached in the pod

micropyle

where the seed was attached in the pod

micropyle

tiny opening near the seed scar where the pollen entered the ovule to form the seed

cotyledon

contains food for the embryo

radicle

becomes root system of the plant

hypocotyl

connects the radicle and the cotyledon

epicotyl

forms the stem of the plant

plumule

develops the above-ground part of the plant (embryonic leaves)