Fruits and Seeds in Botany
Understanding the structures that ensure the next generation of flowering plants
1What Is a Fruit?
In botany, a fruit is a mature, ripened ovary of a flowering plant (angiosperm), typically containing seeds. After fertilization, the ovules develop into seeds while the ovary wall enlarges and differentiates to become the fruit. Usually, all other flower parts wither away.
Key Insight: A tomato is botanically a fruit — not a vegetable — because it develops from a flower's ovary and contains seeds. The same is true for cucumbers, peppers, and squash!
The Pericarp: Fruit Wall Layers
The fruit wall is called the pericarp, and it consists of three distinct layers:
| Layer | Position | Description | Example (Peach) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epicarp (Exocarp) | Outermost | Skin or rind; protective | Fuzzy skin |
| Mesocarp | Middle | Often fleshy; stores nutrients | Juicy flesh |
| Endocarp | Innermost | Surrounds the seed; can be hard or papery | Hard pit (stone) |
Cross-Section of a Drupe (Peach)
Hover over each layer to highlight it
Note: The pericarp (epicarp + mesocarp + endocarp) is the entire fruit wall surrounding the seed.
2Classification of Fruits
Fruits are classified based on the number of ovaries and flowers involved in their formation, and whether they include non-ovary tissues.