FRUITS: Definition, Classifications, Simple, Fleshy, Dry, Aggregate, and Multiple Fruits For Class 10^th,11^th, and NEET

Fruits: Definition

The fully developed, fertilized ovary is known as a Fruit. The fruit that grows from an ovary is referred to as True Fruit. Fruit that has been formed from sources other than the ovary is referred to as “False Fruit.” or “Pseudocarp.” Non-fertilized fruit is referred to as “Parthenocarpic Fruit.”

Classifications

Fruits are divided into three main types. These are

1) Simple fruits: A simple fruit is a form of fruit that arises from the syncarpous ovary of a single flower.

2) Aggregate fruits: Fruit that has developed from an Apocarpus ovary of a single flower.

(3) Multiple fruits: The entire fruit of the inflorescence was developed.

1) Simple fruits:

A single Monocarpellory or Polycarpellory syncarpous bloom’s ovary produces Simple fruit.

Types of Simple Fruit

The fruit was produced by the syncarpous ovary of one bloom. Based on the properties of the pericarp at maturity, simple fruits are separated into two types.

A] Fleshy Fruits: Thick, fleshy pericarp

B) Dry Fruits: A thin and dry pericarp characterizes dry fruits.

A) Fleshy Fruits

When completely developed, simple fruits known as fleshy fruits have thick, meaty, and delectable pericarps. The outer epicarp, middle mesocarp, and inner endocarp make up the pericarp. There are five distinct categories. Berry, Drupe,  Hesperidium, Pome, and Pepo

1. Berries: Berries are simple, fleshy fruits that develop from syncarpous, bi-, or multicarpellory ovaries. It is possible to eat the entire pericarp because it is juicy and meaty. example: tomato, guava, and sapota.

2. Drupe: An ovary’s superior, inferior, syncarpous, or monocarpellary ovary gives rise to this straightforward, meaty fruit. A stiff endocarp encloses the seeds. similar to mango and coconut.

3. Hesperidium: The small, fleshy fruit known as a hesperidium is produced by a multicarpellory, syncarpous ovary with ovules on the axile placenta. It is a unique fruit belonging to the Rutaceae family. The membrane endocarp, which pushes inward and connects with the mesocarp and epicarp from the thick rind, is what makes up the juicy ingrowths that make up the edible section. Orange, lemon, etc.

4. Pepo: Pepo is a simple, meaty false fruit that develops from a tricarpellory, inferior, syncarpous ovary with parietal placentation. It is a typical member of the Cucurbitaceae family. The succulent, delicious tissue of the placenta. Ex: Pumpkin with cucumber.

5. Pome: A simple, fleshy false fruit called a pome grows from a syncarpous, inferior ovary. The thalamus is a tasty, fleshy portion. It encloses the seeds and pericarp. Ex: Apple and Pear.

B) Dry fruit

Simple dry fruits are those whose pericarps are thin, dry at maturity, and lack a distinguishing EPicarp, Mesocarp, or Endocarp. Three types of fruit are distinguished based on how they split when they reach maturity. They are as follows:

1. Dry dehiscent fruits with a split pericarp that releases seeds.

2. Dry fruits that do not decompose: The pericarp does not ever split open to release the seeds.

3. Fruits that are schizocarpic and are dry: The pericarp divides into discrete units that never crack open.

1. Dry fruit that has dehisced

At maturity, the pericarp of Simple Dry Dehiscent Fruits breaks open to release the seeds. The following types are included in it

a) Legume:  A marginal placenta-containing superior, monocarpellary ovary gives rise to the dry, dehiscent fruit known as a legume. It belongs to the Family Leguminosae. When fully developed, the pericarp splits along both margins to release the seeds. Ex: Pea, Bean.

b) Follicle: A superior, monocarpellary ovary produces a straightforward, dry, dehiscent fruit called a folicle. When seeds are ready to be released, the pericarp dehisces solely along the ventral suture. Example: Calotropis

c) Siliqua: A superior, bicarpellory, syncarpous ovary with parietal placentation gives rise to the dry, dehiscent fruit known as the silica. It is a distinctive fruit of the Brassicaceae family ( Cruciferae). The pericarp divides at maturity along both borders, working its way up from the base. A “Replum” fake septum has seeds connected to it. as in mustard.

d) Capsule: A simple, dry, dehiscent fruit containing ovules on axile placentation, capsules are produced by superior or inferior multicarpellory, syncarpous ovaries. At maturity, the loculicidal capsule, also known as the pericarp, may split down the middle. Ex: Lady’s finger; cotton. OR Known as a “Septicidal capsule,” a split along the septa Ex: Datura.

2. Dry Indehiscent fruits

At maturity, the pericarp of Simple Dry indehiscent fruits never splits open to release the seeds. After the pericarp has decomposed, the seeds are only released. The following types are among them.

a) Caryopsis: Caryopsis is a unilocular, superior, monocarpellary fruit that is simple, dry, and indehiscent. It is a typical fruit of the “Poaceae” family. It is a single-seeded fruit in which the pericarp is fused to the seed coat. Pericarp never splits open to release seed when mature. Ex: wheat, maize, paddy.

b) Cypsella: Cypsella is a simple, dry, indehiscent fruit that grows from a basal placenta and an inferior, bicarpelory, unilocular ovary. It is a typical member of the “Asteraceae” family of fruits. It is a single-seeded fruit in which the pericarp is unattached to the seed coat. Ex: a sunflower.

c) Nut: A superior, monocarpellary, unilocular, or polycarpellory ovary gives rise to the nut, a simple, dry, indehiscent fruit. Pericarp in this instance is made of stones. Ex: Cashew nut

d) Samara: Samara is a simple, dry, indehiscent fruit that grows from an ovary that is superior, bicarpelary, or tricarpelary. The pericarp is a wing-like, flattened structure. Example: Hiptage

e) Utricle: The utricle is a superior, monocarpellary ovary that develops into a Simple Dry, indehiscent fruit. Fruit with a solitary seed. Consider amaranthus.

3. Dry schizocarpic fruits

At maturity, Simple dry schizocarpic fruit separates into discrete, indehiscent parts known as “Mericarps.” The following types are included in it:-

a)Lomentum:

The lomentum is a simple, dry schizocarpic fruit that develops from a superior ovary that is monocarpellary, unilocular, and has marginal placentation. At maturity, the fruit splits transversely into single-seeded units called ‘Mericarp’. Ex: Acacia.

b) Cremocarp: An inferior, bicarpellory, syncarpous, inferior ovary gives rise to this straightforward, dry schizocarpic fruit. It is the emblematic fruit of the “Umbelliferae” family. When the fruit reaches maturity, it divides vertically into two mericarps that are joined by a central stalk known as a “carpophore.” as in coriander.

c) Regma: Regma is a straightforward, dry schizocarpic fruit that grows from a superior, trilocular or multilocular, syncarpous, tricarpellory or multicarpellory ovary. The fruit divides into several components known as carpels when it reaches full maturity. The name of every unit is “Coccus.” Ex: Geranium; Castor.

d) Carcerule

The carcerule, which grows from a superior, bicarpellory, syncarpous, tetralocular ovary, is a straightforward, dry schizocarpic fruit. It is the distinctive fruit of the “Lamiaceae” family. Ex: Leucas.

2) Aggregate fruits

From the Multicarpellory, apocarpus ovary of the flower, an aggregate fruit develops. A little fruitlet emerges from each carpel. A group of fruitlets is referred to as an “Etaerio.” Aggregate fruits are divided into numerous categories according to the nature of the fruitlets, including the following:

a) Etaerio of Follicle: This Fruit grows from the flower’s multicarpellory, apocarpus ovary. Each carpel grows into a tiny fruitlet of the folicle, which releases seeds when it opens along the lone ventral seam. As a result, all fruits collectively give rise to a Bunch of follicles. Like Michelia.

b) Etaerio of Drupe: This fruit grows from the flower’s multicarpellory, apocarpous ovary. Each carpel of the drupe matures into a little fruitlet. That is, the endocarp is tough. So, when every fruit is combined, a bunch of drupes is produced. Ex: a raspberry.

c) Etaerio of Berry: This fruit grows from the flower’s multicarpellory, apocarpous ovary. Each Berry carpel matures into a tiny fruitlet. In other words, the entire pericarp is tasty, meaty, and juicy. Thus, a bunch of berries is produced when all fruits are combined. Like the custard apple.

3) Multiple fruits

Throughout the entire inflorescence, several fruits grow. This fruit is false. It has two types

a) Sorosis and b) Synconus

a)Sorosis

Sorosis is the development of many fruits from a spadix, spike, or catkin inflorescence. For instance, mulberry (Morus indica), pineapple (Annanus cosmosus), and jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus-Moraceae) ( Morus- Moraceae).

The peduncle serves as the primary axis and the jack fruit emerges from the spadix flower. The perianth of flowers is the fleshy, juicy, yellow, and edible section; the pericarp is the flaky, membrane bag that contains the seed. Bracts are the white, elongated, less juicy chaffs. Stigmas of the carpels are found as spines on the rind.

Pineapple grows from a spike-shaped inflorescence that is fleshy; the peduncle, bract, and perianth are its juicy, edible component. The fruit’s exterior is marked with polygonal shapes that represent each blossom. Mulberry grows from the inflorescence of a female catkin. Bract, perianth, and axis all develop flesh and become tasty.

(b) Synconus

Synconus is a group of fruits that arise from the inflorescence of the Hypanthodium plant. The Receptacle is the fleshy, edible part. Ex: figs.