FRUITS

The origin of the fruit is the ovary of the flower. After fertilization the ovary forms the fruit. Occasionally the pericarp develops from the ovary wall and adjacent structures usually the receptacle. The ovary wall changes to become either hard and dry or soft and fleshy. The fruit is, therefore the structure, which develops as a result of fertilization, and it

contains the seeds.

Fruit classification
Fruits may be classified in various ways. 1. According to structure

1. Simple fruits fruits

2. Aggregate fruits

3. Compound

1. Simple fruits It formed from one flower in which the ovary consists of either one carpel (monocarpous) or of several fused together (syncarpous). 2. Aggregate fruits It formed from one flower in which the ovary consists of several free carpels (Apocarpous). 3. Compound fruits Fruits originated from the inflorescence (group of the flowers). 2. According to origin 1. True fruits Fruits originated from the ovary of fertile flower. 2. False fruits Fruits originated from ovary with other organs like receptacle, stamens, and calyx.

1. SIMPLE FRUITS
A. DRY FRUIT TYPES 1. Dehiscent fruits

In these fruits the pericarp splits open to set the seeds free. They are usually classified according to the number of splits, which occur in the pericarp. 1. Follicle A follicle is a dry fruit formed from one carpel, which has one or more seeds and splits down one side only.

2. Legume A legume is a dry fruit formed from one carpel, which contains several seeds, and splits down both sides for example bean. They produced by the family Leguminosae or Fabaceae).

2. Lomentum It resembles the legume, but with constriction between the seeds, e g. Acacia nilotica

3. Siliqua and Silicule Siliques and Silicles produced by the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The syncarpous gynoecium has 2 carpals, and the fruits have 2 locules. However, there is a false septum, called the replum (that forms the division between the locules).

4. Capsule A capsule is a dry fruit that is produced from a syncarpous gynoecium and that dehisces According to the type of opening, there are different types as follow: 1. Opening by valvate This type is divided into: a. Loculicidal capsule In a loculicidal capsule, the fruit dehisces longitudinally through the locules, as in this violet (Viola) fruit and in Datura.

b. Septicidal capsule

In a septicidal capsule, the fruits dehisce by separating between the septa of adjacent carpels.

2. Opening by lid or cover A lid comes off from the base of the fruit, following a horizontal line that runs all the way around the fruit, as in Portulaca (Portulacaceae) and Anagalis (Primulaceae).

3. Opening by pores The fruit is a poricidal capsule that dehisces by small pores around the top, as in a poppy (Papaver).

4. Opening by teeth This is denticidal (dehiscent by teeth) capsules of jeweled shooting star.

2. Indehiscent fruits Fruits consist of one seed surrounded by a dry pericarp, which does not split. 1. Achene Achenes consist of one seed surrounded by a dry pericarp, which does not split or dehisce, as in a sunflower, Rosa.

2. Nuts Nuts are rather large, dry, indehiscent fruits that come from a syncarpous gynoecium and that contain a single seed. The ovary wall matures into the hard wall. A nut is similar to an achene but the pericarp is very hard and tough, as in a coconut.

3. Samara It is an achene in which the pericap has been extended out to form one or more wings.

4. Caryopsis A cryopsis is an achene-like fruit in which the pericarp and seed coat have become fused together. It is typical for grasses or cereals like Zea

mays. 5. Cypsela Cypsela is an achene in which the calyx above an inferior ovary has persisted and formed a parachute of hair called pappus it is formed in many compositae (Asteraceae). 3. Schizocarpic fruits Schizocarps are fruits produced from a syncarpous gynoecium that split apart in maturity into mericarps. Each mericarp that contains one seed surrounded by tissue derived from the ovary wall. These are the fruits of a member of the umbel family (Apiaceae).

B. FLESHY FRUITS In fleshy fruits, the pericaps are usually soft and succulent. These fruits are divided into two types: 1. Drupe The pericap is represented by the thin yellow outer coating. The mesocarp is the fleshy part which is eaten and the part discarded is the endocarp, as in coconut fruits and mango.

2.Berry Berries may develop from flowers which have either superior ovaries for example tomato and oranges or inferior ovaries for example guava and banana. Berries have a pericarp divided into three layers but here the endocarp also is fleshy and usually the whole fruit is eaten.

2. COMPOUND FRUITS

In a multiple fruit (compound fruits) the whole fruiting structure comes from more than one flower. Each flower produces a single fruit, and these fruits then clustered together to form the multiple fruit.

3. AGGREGATE FRUITS Aggregate fruits come from a single flower, and from a flower with an apocarpous gynoecium with numerous carpels. Each carpel develops into a fruit, and the fruits are then clustered together into a