simple fruit
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A simple fruit is a type of fruit that develops from the ovary of a single flower. It is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open naturally at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds are contained within a fleshy wall or pericarp.
Examples
- Botanically, a grape is classified as a simple fruit.
- The tomato, often mistaken for a vegetable, is a simple fruit.
- A cranberry is an example of a simple fruit with multiple seeds.
Advanced Usage
- In botanical classification, a simple fruit contrasts with aggregate fruits (which develop from multiple ovaries of a single flower) and multiple fruits (which develop from the ovaries of many flowers).
- The term is used to describe the structure and development origin of the fruit, not its taste or culinary use.
Variants and Related Words
- Berry: A common type of simple fruit with a fleshy pericarp and multiple seeds (e.g., tomato, grape, banana).
- Drupe: A simple fruit with a fleshy outer part surrounding a hard shell with a seed inside (e.g., peach, cherry, olive).
- Pome: A simple fruit where the fleshy part is derived from the floral receptacle, surrounding the core (e.g., apple, pear).
Synonyms
- True fruit: Emphasizes that the fruit develops solely from the ovary of the flower.
- Indehiscent fruit: Highlights the key characteristic of not splitting open.
Related Terms (Botanical Context)
- Pericarp: The wall of the fruit that develops from the ovary wall. In a simple fruit, the pericarp may become fleshy or dry.
- Ovary: The part of the flower that develops into the fruit. A simple fruit originates from one ovary.
Noun
- an indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp: e.g. grape; tomato; cranberry