May L.

Medenilla1,2,3
1BS Biology Graduate, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
2 MS Biology Student, Centro Escolar University
3Instructor, Centro Escolar University

Outline
Fruit
How are they formed?
Function
Types

Simple
Multiple
Accessory
Aggregate

Dispersal

From ovary to fruit

The ovary of the flower contains the ovules.
As fertilized ovules develop into seeds, the ovary wall
develops into the fruit.

Fruit anatomy

Fruit
In science, the term fruit refers to a mature ovary that contains
seeds.
Protects the seeds that lie within
The excess food prepared by leaves gets stored around the seeds to
form the fleshy part of the fruit.

 DEHISCENT- fruits crack open along two seems and shed their seeds
into the environment when the fruit is ripe.
INDEHISCENT
fruit retain their seeds and do not crack open after ripening.

Fruit
The three fruit layers are:

Exocarp, the outermost layer often consisting of only the

epidermis
Mesocarp, or middle layer, which varies in thickness
Endocarp, which shows considerable variation from one species to
another

Fruit
Simple
Fleshy
Dry
Multiple
Aggregate
Accessory

Fruit-SIMPLE

Fruit
Fleshy Fruit A simple fruit which is soft and
pulpy at maturity.
Berry. The Pericarp is soft and fleshy
Drupe. The exocarp and the mesocarp are soft and
fleshy, but the endocarp and indehiscent.

Seed

Berry (simple fruit)

A simple, fleshy fruit in which the
fruit wall is soft throughout.
Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)

Fig. 9-12a, p. 187

Drupe (simple fruit)

A simple, fleshy fruit in which
the inner wall of the fruit
is a hard stone.
Peach (Prunus persica)
Single seed inside
stone

Fig. 9-12b, p. 187

Fruit-DRY

Fruit
Dry Fruit This is dry and hard at maturity. This is of two types, the
dehiscent and indehiscent
Capsule. Composed of two or more fused carpels
Legume. This develops from one carpel with two sutures
Follicle. This develops from one carpel with one sutures
Silique. This develops from two carpels separating at maturity.
Achene. This is a fruit with only one seed, the ovary wall and seed
coat of which are separable.

Split-open
suture

Seed

Capsule (simple fruit)

A simple, dry fruit that splits
open along two or more sutures
or pores to release its seeds;
fruit is formed from ovary that
consists of two or more carpels.
Iris (Iris)

Fig. 9-12e, p. 187

Legume (simple fruit)

A simple, dry fruit that splits
open along two sutures to
release its seeds; fruit is formed
from ovary that consists of a
single carpel.

Seed

Green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Fig. 9-12d, p. 187

Seed

Follicle (simple fruit)

A simple, dry fruit that splits open
along one suture to release its
seeds; fruit is formed from ovary
that consists of a single carpel.
Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Fig. 9-12c, p. 187

Single
seed
Achene (simple fruit)
A simple, dry fruit in which the
fruit wall is separate from the
seed coat.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Seed
coat

Fig. 9-12g, p. 187

Fruit
Dry Fruit This is dry and hard at maturity. This is of two types, the
dehiscent and indehiscent
Caryopsis or Grain. One seeded fruit, the ovary wall and seed coat
of which are not separable
Samara. Has one or two seeds. Characterized by the pericarp
having wing-like extensions.
Nut. One seeded fruit from a compound ovary.
Schizocarp. Two carpels that separate at maturity.

Fused fruit
wall and
seed
coat

Caryopsis (simple fruit)

A simple, dry fruit in
which the fruit wall is
fused to the seed coat.
Wheat (Triticum)
Single
seed

Fig. 9-12f, p. 187

Scale-covered
cup

Woody
fruit
wall

Nut (simple fruit)

A simple, dry fruit that has a
stony wall, is usually large, and
does not split open at maturity.

Oak (Quercus)

Single
seed

Fig. 9-12h, p. 187

Types of dry fruits

Capsule
(Poppy)

Legume
(Bean pod)
Silique
(Money Plant)

Follicle
(Columbine)

Achene
(Sunflower)

Nut
(Hazelnut)

Fruit
Multiple Fruits This is a fruit that develops from ovaries of many
flowers at a common axis.
Aggregate Fruit This develops from separate simple fruits of a
flower.
Accessory Fruit This is a kind of fruit with other structures other
than the major parts.

MULTIPLE FRUIT
Fruit that develops from many ovaries of many flowers
growing in proximity on a common axis
Carpels of closely associated flowers fuse, or grow
together
Example: pineapple

Multiple Fruit

Seed

Multiple fruit
A fruit that develops from the
ovaries of a group of flowers.

Mulberry (Morus)

Fig. 9-12j, p. 187

AGGREGATE FRUIT
Fruit that develops from a single flower with many
separate ovaries
Several separate carpels fuse, or grow together
Example: raspberry

Aggregate Fruit

Seed
Aggregate fruit
A fruit that develops from a
single flower with several to
many pistils (i.e., carpels are
not fused into a single pistil).
Blackberry (Rubus)

Fig. 9-12i, p. 187

ACCESSORY FRUIT
Fruit whose fleshy part is composed primarily of tissue
other than the ovary
Example: strawberries

Accessory Fruit

Enlarged
floral tube
Ovary
wall

Seed

Accessory fruit
A fruit composed primarily
of nonovarian tissue (such as
the receptacle or floral tube).
Apple (Malus sylvestris)

Fig. 9-12k, p. 187

Fruit dispersal
The form of the fruit gives clues about its dispersal.
Small, dry fruits with wings or parachutes may be
wind-dispersed.
Fleshy fruits are often animal dispersed.
Explosive fruits can fling seeds away.
Floating fruits may be water dispersed.

How are these fruits dispersed?

Dandelion

Coconut

Maple

Cocklebur

Jewelweed