# Simple fruit

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Ripened ovary from a single flower

Simple [fruits](/source/Fruit_anatomy) are the result of the ripening-to-fruit of a simple or compound ovary in a *single flower* with a *single [pistil](/source/Carpel)*.[1][2][3][4] In contrast, a single flower with numerous pistils typically produces an [aggregate fruit](/source/Fruit#Aggregate_fruit); and the merging of several flowers, or a 'multiple' of flowers, results in a 'multiple' fruit. A simple fruit is further classified as either dry or fleshy.[5][6][7]

## Types of simple fruits

### Dry simple fruits

- [Achene](/source/Achene) – most commonly seen in aggregate fruits (e.g., [strawberry](/source/Strawberry)).

- [Capsule](/source/Capsule_(fruit)) – ([Brazil nut](/source/Brazil_nut): botanically, it is not a nut).

- [Caryopsis](/source/Caryopsis) – (cereal grains, including [wheat](/source/Wheat), [rice](/source/Rice), [oats](/source/Oats), [barley](/source/Barley)).

- [Cypsela](/source/Achene) – an achene-like fruit derived from the individual florets in a [capitulum](/source/Head_(botany)): ([dandelion](/source/Dandelion)).

- [Fibrous drupe](/source/Drupe) – ([coconut](/source/Coconut), [walnut](/source/Walnut): botanically, neither is a true nut.).

- [Follicle](/source/Follicle_(fruit)) – follicles are formed from a single carpel, and opens by one suture: ([milkweed](/source/Milkweed)); also commonly seen in aggregate fruits: ([magnolia](/source/Magnolia), [peony](/source/Peony)).

- [Legume](/source/Legume) – ([bean](/source/Bean), [pea](/source/Pea), [peanut](/source/Peanut): botanically, the peanut is the seed of a legume, not a nut).

- [Loment](/source/Loment) – a type of [indehiscent](/source/Indehiscent) legume: ([sweet vetch or wild potato](/source/Hedysarum)).

- [Nut](/source/Nut_(fruit)) – ([beechnut](/source/Beech#Description), [hazelnut](/source/Hazelnut), [acorn](/source/Acorn) (of the [oak](/source/Oak)): botanically, these are true nuts).

- [Samara](/source/Samara_(fruit)) – ([ash](/source/Ash_tree), [elm](/source/Elm), [maple key](/source/Maple)).

- [Schizocarp](/source/Schizocarp) – ([carrot seed](/source/Carrot#Description)).

- [Silique](/source/Silique) – ([radish](/source/Radish) seed).

- Silicle – ([shepherd's purse](/source/Shepherd's_purse)).

- [Utricle](/source/Utricle_(fruit)) – ([beet](/source/Beet), *[Rumex](/source/Rumex)*).

Fruits in which part or all of the [*pericarp* (fruit wall)](/source/Fruit_anatomy#Pericarp_layers) is fleshy at maturity are termed *fleshy simple fruits*.

### Fleshy simple fruits

- [Berry](/source/Berry_(botany)) – the berry is the most common type of fleshy fruit. The entire outer layer of the ovary wall ripens into a potentially edible "pericarp", (see below).

- [Stone fruit](/source/Stone_fruit) or drupe – the definitive characteristic of a drupe is the hard, "lignified" stone (sometimes called the "pit"). It is derived from the ovary wall of the flower: [apricot](/source/Apricot), [cherry](/source/Cherry), [olive](/source/Olive), [peach](/source/Peach), [plum](/source/Plum), [mango](/source/Mango).

- [Pome](/source/Pome) – the pome fruits: [apples](/source/Apple), [pears](/source/Pear), [rosehips](/source/Rosehip), [saskatoon berry](/source/Saskatoon_berry), etc., are a [syncarpous](/source/Syncarpous#Types) (fused) fleshy fruit, a simple fruit, developing from a half-inferior ovary. Pomes are of the family [Rosaceae](/source/Rosaceae)

## Seed dissemination

To distribute their seeds, dry fruits may split open and discharge their seeds to the winds, which is called [dehiscence](/source/Dehiscence_(botany)). Or the distribution process may rely upon the decay and degradation of the fruit to expose the seeds; or it may rely upon the eating of fruit and excreting of seeds by [frugivores](/source/Frugivores) – both are called [indehiscence](/source/Dehiscence_(botany)). Fleshy fruits do not split open, but they also are indehiscent and they may also rely on frugivores for distribution of their seeds. Typically, the entire outer layer of the ovary wall ripens into a potentially edible [pericarp](/source/Pericarp).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Brooks, Sean (2013). [*The Book of Trees: An Introduction to Botany Through the Study of Trees*](http://archive.org/details/bookoftreesintro0000sean). Internet Archive. Memoria Press. p. 53. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-61538-214-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-61538-214-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Kancheepuram N Gandhi; Roy D Thomas (1983). [*A note on the classification of fruits*](http://archive.org/details/biostor-208195).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Salisbury, Frank B.; Parke, Robert V. (1964). [*Vascular plants: form and function*](http://archive.org/details/vascularplantsfo00sal). Internet Archive. Belmont, Calif., Wadsworth Pub. Co. p. 157.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Laurie, Charlotte L. (1905). [*A text-book of elementary botany*](http://archive.org/details/textbookelement00laurb). Lloyd Library and Museum. London : Allman & Son. p. 5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Chacko, Shantha (1989). [*New Matriculation Botany 8*](http://archive.org/details/dli.scoerat.7587botany8). Orient Longman Ltd.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Groom, Percy (1898). [*Elementary botany*](http://archive.org/details/cu31924031266525). Cornell University Library. London : G. Bell. p. 89.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Gray, Asa (1875). [*Botany for young people and common subjects : how plants grow : a simple introduction to structural botany : with popular flora, or an arrangement and description of common plants, both wild and cultivated : illustrated by 500 wood engravings*](http://archive.org/details/botanyforyoungpe00gray_3). Fisher - University of Toronto. New York : Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor. p. 77.

## External links

- [Bio Concepts Map - *Morphology of fruits and seeds*](https://archive.org/details/bio-concepts-map/page/n8/)

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