Silique

Silique is a type of fruit specific to certain plants in the Brassicaceae family, which includes species like cabbage, mustard, and arugula. The term is derived from the Latin word siliqua, which means "pod" or "husk".

Description

A silique is a dry, elongated fruit that splits open along two seams to reveal the seeds inside. The fruit is typically twice as long as it is wide, and it contains two compartments separated by a thin, papery partition known as the replum. The seeds are attached to the replum, and when the fruit splits open, the replum remains attached to the plant while the seeds are dispersed.

Variations

There is a variation of the silique known as the silicle, which is a shorter, broader version of the silique. The silicle is less than twice as long as it is wide, but it also splits open along two seams and has a replum.

Examples

Some examples of plants that produce siliques include Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism in plant biology, and Raphanus raphanistrum, the wild radish. Other examples include the wallflower, honesty, and shepherd's purse.

See also

• Capsule (fruit)
• Legume
• Achene