Fruits &

Seeds
Types of Fruits
 I. Complex Fruits

Complex Fruits

Complex fruits are derived from more than

one ovary, and result in an aggregation of
smaller fruit elements.
 I. Complex Fruits

2 Types of Complex Fruits

Aggregate Fruit - Fruit from many carpels on a

single flower (strawberry, blackberry,
raspberry)

Multiple Fruit - Fruit from carpels of many

flowers fused together (pineapple, mulberry)
 II. Simple Fruits

Simple fruits

Fruits develop from a flower with a single pistil.

Simple fruits are derived from a single ovary,

although that ovary can consist of more than
one carpel, fused to other carpels. These fused
carpels produce the internal divisions we see in
some fruits (like tomatoes and oranges).
 II. Simple Fruits

A. Fleshy Fruits
these fruits have a mesocarp that is at least
partially fleshy at maturity.

1. Berries - are fleshy fruits derived almost

entirely from ovarian tissue, and the endocarp is
fleshy (not hard).
 II. Simple Fruits

a. Typical Berries - The pericarp is usually

fleshy throughout, and has a thin skin.

Examples are: tomatoes, grapes, peppers, and

blueberries.

In the cross section of the tomato, see the

different carpels. Within each carpel
are placentae, which bear the ovules.
 II. Simple Fruits

b. Pepo: A berry with a hard rind. The

receptacle of the flower contributes to the
rind Examples are mainly members of the
squash family, like watermelons,
cantaloupes, gourds. Cucumbers and
bananas are also pepos.
 II. Simple Fruits
b. Pepo: A berry with a hard rind. The
receptacle of the flower contributes to the
rind Examples are mainly members of the
squash family, like watermelons,
cantaloupes, gourds. Cucumbers and
bananas are also pepos.

c. Hesperidium: A berry with a leathery,

separable rind, and partitions between
segments. Examples are oranges and
other citrus fruits.
 II. Simple Fruits
2. Drupe: A drupe is a fleshy fruit in which the
endocarp forms a stony pit, which encloses
usually one seed. Cherries, peaches, plums,
olives, and even walnuts and almonds are
drupes (the shell you usually see is the
endocarp, and the fleshy part has been
removed). A coconut is actually a drupe, too.

3. Pome: In pomes, the endocarp is papery, or

sometimes stony, and forms a core with several
seeds. The outer part of the fruit is derived from
the base of the flower (the
hypanthium). Pomes occur in one division of
the rose family, and pears and apples are two
familiar examples.
 II. Simple Fruits

B. Dry Fruits
In dry fruits, the entire pericarp is dry, not
fleshy. There are two main divisions within
dry fruits: dehiscent and indehiscent.

Then there are several types within these

categories; we will describe a few of
these.
 II. Simple Fruits
1. Dehiscent fruits. Dehiscent dry fruits split
open when ripe, releasing their seeds.

a. Legume: Legumes have one carpel,

which splits along two sutures. Peas, beans,
and peanuts are legumes. See Rust, fig. 49 e-f;
V & C fig. 6.233, 6.237 for illustrations of legumes.

b. Follicle: Follicles have one carpel,

which splits along only one suture. Milkweed
fruit is a follicle.
 II. Simple Fruits

c. Capsule: A capsule is a dehiscent fruit with

more than one carpel. The capsules of different
types of plants may split in different ways, giving
rise to several subdivisions. A number of flowers
with small seeds produce capsules, including
mustard and poppies.
 II. Simple Fruits
2. Indehiscent fruits. Indehiscent fruits are dry
fruits that do not split open when ripe to disperse
seeds. The entire fruit disperses.
a. Achene: are dry, indehiscent fruits with
a single seed, which is attached to the pericarp
by a small stalk (a funiculus). In many achenes,
the pericarp has hooks or fibers that permit
dispersal in the wind. Example: dandelions and
many others.
b. Samara: are similar to achenes
internally, but the pericarp grows into one or two
thin wings. Examples: maples, elms.
 II. Simple Fruits
c. Nut: Nuts are also similar to achenes, but have
a thick, stony pericarp and a cup at the
base. Examples: acorns, hazelnuts.
d. Caryposis (grain): In caryposis fruits (or grains),
the seed coat is fused to the pericarp, so the seed
is not loose in the fruit. Examples: all grasses,
including important grains like maize (corn), wheat,
oats, and barley.
e. Schizocarp: Schizocarps are dry, indehiscent
fruits with more than one carpel. The carpels split
apart from each other at maturity, but the seeds
remain enclosed. Examples: carrot and parsley.