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Fruit Morphology

I thought I was wrong about something so I went back and checked.  The
Multiple Fruit of Small Drupes is wrong, it is a Mulberry. The raspberry
is called an Aggregate of Drupes.  So thought I'd send out more on
"Fruit" in case anyone else was curious about them, also.

I.  SIMPLE FRUITS

 A.   Dry Fruits
   1.  Indehiscent Fruits (not splitting open at maturity)
              a.  Achene - one seeded fruit with seed attached at only
one place to the pericarp. (Buckwheat, Sunflower, Calendula)
        b. Caryopsis - pericarp is adherent to the seed, the two often
being indistinguishable (Corn, Wheat)
        c. Samara - usually one seeded (not always) with a membranous
wing which delevops from the pericarp. (Maple, Ash, Elm)
        d. Nut -  a bony, hard, one seeded fruit.  The pericarp is bony
throughout. (Oak, Chestnut, Filbert)
        e. Utricle - similar to an achene but the ovary wall is
relatively thin and inflated so it fits only loosely around the seed.
(Goosefoot, Pigweed)
       f. Nutlet - diminutive of nut. (Hornbeam, Birch, Hophornbeam)


   2.  Dehiscent Fruits (splitting open when mature)
       a. Legume (Pod) - characteristic of most memebers of the
Fabaceae; contains severl to many seeds.  Composed of one carpel and
opens along two sutures.  (Redbud, Coffeetree, Black Locust)
       b. Follicle - composed of one carpel but splits open at maturity
along one suture exposing several to many seed. (Larkspur, Columbine,
individual fruits of Magnolia)
       c. Capsule - many seeded fruits formed from more than one carple.
The carplels are united.  Loculicidal Capsule opens along midrib;
Septicidal Capsule divides through the partitions. (Rhododendron,
Deutzia, Forsythia)
       d.Silique - composed of two carpels which seperate at maturity,
leaving a thin partition between. (Mustard Family)
       e. Silicle - a short, broad silique. (Peppergrass, Shepherd's
purse)
       f. Pyxis - type of capsule which opens around a horizontal ring,
the top of fruit falling away like a lid. (Purslane)


B.   Fleshy Fruits

   1. Berry - the entire pericarp is fleshy. (Tomato, Blueberry,
Honeysuckle)
       a. Hesperidium - a berry with a leathery rind. (Orange, Lemon)
       b. Pepo - a berry with a hard rind and fleshy inner matrix.
(Watermelon, Squash)
    2. Drupe - the pericarp is clearly differentiated into three parts.
(Viburnum, Cherry, peach, plum)
   3. Pome - the pericarp is surrounded by the floral tub, which becomes
fleshy and tasty. (Apple, Pear, Quince)



II.    AGGREGATE FRUITS

       Develope from a single flower whic contains many pistils.
Several to many fruitlets are massed on one receptcle. (Raspberry -
aggregate of drupes; Strawberry - aggregate of achenes; Tulip Poplar -
aggregate of samaras; )

III.    MULTIPLE FRUITS

       Consists of several flowers which are more or less united into
one mass.  (Fig, Pineapple, Mulberry)
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