FRUITS

A fruit is fertilized ovary. Fruits may be divided into 3 main groups namely;

  1. Simple fruits.

These are formed from one flower in which the pistil consists of either one carpel or several carpels fused together.

  1. Aggregate fruits.

These are formed from one flower in which the pistil consists of several free carpels.E.g Rose fruit, Bryophyllum (collection of simple fruits).

  1. Multiple Fruits.

These are fruits formed from inflorescence flowers whereby ovaries fuse after fertilization.E.g Pineapple and jackfruit.

SIMPLE FRUITS

  1. Dry Indehiscent fruits

These are fruits which have a dry fruit wall (pericarp) and do not split open to release the seeds.

These include the following;

  1. An Achene-Is the simplest possible fruit and consists of one seed, surrounded by a dry pericarp which does not dehisce.Example;an achene of sun flower.

  1. A nut-Is similar to an achene but the pericarp is so hard and tough e.g. Cashew nut.

Many so called nuts are not biologically nuts.

  1. Caryopsis-Is an achene like fruit in the pericarp and the seed coat have become fused together .E.g. all members of the grass family.

Diagram of maize seed

  1. Cypsela-Is an achene in which the calyx above an inferior ovary has persisted and formed a parachute of hairs called pappus.It is found in plants like Bidens Pilosa(Black jack)

  1. Samara-Is an achene in which the pericarp has been extended to form one or more wings e.g. African rosewood, Jacaranda, combretum. etc.

  1. Dry dehiscent Fruits

These have a dry pericarp which splits open to release the seeds.

They include the following;

  1. Follicle-Is a dry fruit formed from one carpel which has one or more seeds and splits down one side only.E.g. Sodom apple.

Legume-Is a dry fruit formed from one carpel which contains several seeds and split down both sides (sutures)e.g. beans, pea plants

  1. Capsule-Is a dry fruit formed from two or more carpels which contains several seeds. It usually opens by longitudinal slits e.g. Dutchman’s pipe,Balsam, cotton.
  1. Schizocarp-Is a dry fruit with several seeds which breaks up into separate parts each containing one seede.g.Desmodium, sweetheart and cassia.

Diagram of a schizocarp

  1. succulent fruits

At least part of these fruit are fleshy and can be eaten e.g. mango, oranges etc.

Succulent fruits include the following

  1. Drupes.

Examples; mangoes, avocado, coconut

A drupe has a fruit wall or pericarp divided into 3 layers.

1)Epicarp-Is the outer skin.

2)Mezzocarp-Is the middle fleshy layer usually eaten.

3)Endocarp-Is the inner woody or fibrous layer that encloses the seed.

NB:All drupes have one seed in the centre of the fruit.

  1. Berries.

Examples; tomatoes, guavas, oranges etc

A berry has a pericarp divided into 3 layers but here the endocarp is also fleshy. Berries develop from flowers either with superior ovaries e.g. tomatoes and oranges or inferior ovaries e.g. guavas.

Difference between a drupe and a berry.

BERRY / DRUPE
It has one large seed in the center / It has so many small seeds
Develops from a superior ovary only / Develop from either superior ovary or inferior ovary
The endocarp of a drupe is woody and fibrous therefore it cannot be eaten / The endocarp of berries is fleshy and can be eaten

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