Electronic
Field Trip to an Orchard
Parts
of a fruit
A fruit is a mature ovary.
So, all fertilized (non-parthenocarpic) fruit contains a seed
or seeds. But what are the other parts of a fruit?
Functions
of the parts of a fruit
- Seed - a mature
ovule containing an embryo that will result in offspring under
suitable conditions
- Pericarp - the fruit wall surrounding and protecting
a mature ovule
- Endocarp - most interior portion of the pericarp
which encloses the seed(s)
- Mesocarp - the middle portion of the pericarp
which is frequently very fleshy, as seen in peaches and
apples
- Exocarp - the most exterior portion of the pericarp
or skin of the fruit
