Fruits: Parts and Classification

FRUIT

FRUIT•A product of flowers usually developed as a result of flower being pollinated.•Referred to as “ripened ovary”.•Its primary function is to distribute seeds to new areas where the plant might grow (seed dispersal vehicle).

FRUIT

Structure

Classifications

STRUCTURE

A fruit is composed of the pericarp and the seed.

STRUCTURE

SEED

PERICARP

STRUCTURE

Pericarp is the ovary wall which surrounds the seed (seed container). It has three regions: exocarp/epicarp, mesocarp,

endocarp.

STRUCTURE

Parts of the Pericarp:1.Exocarp/Epicarp - outer part, skin

of the fruit2.Mesocarp - middle part, flesh of the

fruit.3.Endocarp - inner part, encloses the

seed.

STRUCTURE

STRUCTURE

STRUCTURE

STRUCTURE

CLASSIFICATIONS

I. Simple FruitsII.Aggregate FruitsIII.Multiple Fruits

CLASSIFICATIONSI. Simple Fruits• Developed from one single ovary

containing one or more carpels and may or may not include additional accessory structure.

SIMPLE FRUITSA.Fleshy Fruits• Its pericarp and accessory parts

develop into succulent tissues.• One or more layers of the pericarp

become soft during ripening.• Its pericarp is fleshy at maturity (soft

pericarp).

FLESHY FRUITS1.Berries• Have one to many seeds and a

pericarp that becomes soft and often sweet and slimy as it matures.

• Grapes, eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, blueberries, mangosteens, guavas, bananas, ampalaya, papaya

FLESHY FRUITS2. Hesperidia• Have leathery pericarp that

produces fragrant oils and soft segmented pulp.

• All citrus fruits

FLESHY FRUITS3.Pepos• Have thick or hard exocarp.• Have a receptacle that partially or

completely encloses the ovary.• Pumpkins, cucumber, squashes,

cantaloupes, watermelons

FLESHY FRUITS5.Pomes (Accessory Fruit)• Its bulk is formed from a swollen

receptacle.• Have a thin exocarp and a papery

cartilaginous mesocarp.• Pears, apples

SIMPLE FRUITSB.Dehiscent Dry Fruits• Have hard texture and wood-like

leathery appearance.• Split open at maturity to shed

seeds.

DEHISCENT DRY FRUITS

1. Follicles• Have single carpel.• Open along one seam when the

seeds are to be released.• Milkweed, columbines, peonies,

magnolia


2. Legumes/Pods• Derive from a single carpel.• Split into two seed-bearing halves.• Garden peas, beans, peanut,

mesquite

3.Siliques• Seeds reside on a partition

between halves of the ovary.• Mustard plant, watercress



4.Capsules• Derived from compound ovaries.• Two or more carpels, split along

seams or forming caps or pores.• Eucalyptus, horse chestnut, kapok

SIMPLE FRUITSC.Indehiscent Dry Fruits•Have hard texture and wood-like

leathery appearance.• Remain closed at maturity, thus,

leaves their seeds inside them

INDEHISCENT DRY FRUITS

1.Nuts• Have hard thick pericarp and a

basal cup.• Acorns, hickory nuts, chestnuts,

hazelnuts


2. Achenes•Have thin pericarps and solitary

seed.• Seeds connect to the pericarp only

at the base.• Sunflowers, buttercups


3. Samaras•Have thin pericarps.• Seeds occur in pairs and have

wings that allow dispersal by the wind.• Elm, ash, maple, narra


4. Caryopses/Grains•Have hard pericarp fastened to the

embryo all the way around.•Grass family

CLASSIFICATIONSII. Aggregate Fruit• From one flower that produces

many tiny fruits (fruitlets) clustered together (etaerios).• Blackberries, strawberries,

raspberries

CLASSIFICATIONSIII.Multiple Fruit • From many different flowers or

cluster of flowers develop closely to form a bigger fruit.• Pineapples, mulberries, figs,

breadfuits, langka, atis, durian

Science

Fruits: Parts and Classification