Simple fruit

Simple fruit is a type of fruit that develops from a single ovary of a single flower. This is in contrast to aggregate fruits and multiple fruits, which are formed from several ovaries of one or more flowers. Simple fruits can be either fleshy or dry.

Types of Simple Fruits

Simple fruits can be classified into two main types: fleshy and dry.

Fleshy Simple Fruits

Fleshy simple fruits are those that have a soft and juicy texture when ripe. They include:

• Berries: These are fruits that have a fleshy pericarp (fruit wall) and one or more seeds. Examples include grapes, tomatoes, and kiwi fruits.

• Drupes: Also known as stone fruits, drupes have a fleshy outer layer and a hard inner shell that encloses a single seed. Examples include peaches, plums, and cherries.

• Pomes: Pomes are fruits that have a fleshy outer layer and a core of several small seeds. Examples include apples and pears.

Dry Simple Fruits

Dry simple fruits are those that have a hard or papery texture when ripe. They include:

• Achenes: These are small, one-seeded fruits that do not split open at maturity. Examples include sunflower seeds.

• Nuts: Nuts are hard-shelled fruits that do not split open at maturity. Examples include acorns and hazelnuts.

• Capsules: Capsules are fruits that split open at maturity to release their seeds. Examples include poppy seeds.

See Also

• Fruit anatomy
• Seed dispersal
• Plant reproduction