Types of Fruits: True Fruits, False Fruits, Parthenocarpic Fruits, Practice Problems, and FAQs

We all like fruits. When we are tired, just imagine you are back from a long journey, we like to have juices or fruit shakes. Our parents also will make sure that we are including a variety of fruits in our diet. 

Have you heard about the proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. But why is apple considered the best fruit? Apples are rich in antioxidants and fibres. They can lower the risk of many chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. They help in weight loss and improve health, especially the health of the brain and gut.

Likewise, there are so many fruits that have some unique features. For example, watermelon is the best source of water and keeps us hydrated. Mango is the sweetest fruit which is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

                                                       Fig: Fruits

Dry fruits are also rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients. They are also a great source of minerals, fibres, and vitamins. The consumption of dry fruits helps in reducing weight. Let’s discuss different types of fruits in detail in this article.

Table of contents

• Fruit
• Types of fruits
• True fruits
• False fruits
• Parthenocarpic fruits
• Practice Problems
• FAQs

Fruit

Fruits are structures that form from a mature ovary. In certain cases they form from other floral parts like thalamus, perianth, peduncle etc. They are a great source of fibres, vitamins, and minerals. Examples include grapes, bananas, papayas, and watermelons. They are part of a healthy diet. 

Parts of fruits

The fruit consists of two parts:

• Pericarp
• Seeds

Pericarp

The wall of the ovary that transforms into the wall of the fruits is called the pericarp. These pericarps can either be fleshy, as in the case of guava, mango, etc. or dry, as in the case of mustard, walnut, etc. The pericarp is divided into three zones as follows:

Epicarp

It is the outermost layer of the fruit that commonly forms a peel.

Mesocarp

It is the middle layer considered the edible portion in some fruits.

Endocarp

It is the innermost layer where the seed is enclosed.

                                            Fig: Pericarp

Seeds

Seeds are matured fertilised ovules. It possesses an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective shell.

                                          Fig: Parts of a fruit

Types of fruit

Fruits are classified into three types that are listed below:

• True fruits
• False fruits
• Parthenocarpic fruits

True fruits

These fruits develop from mature ovaries. They can form only after fertilisation. They contain seeds. Examples of true fruits include peas, mango, and coconut.

A true fruit necessarily contains three structures that are as follows:

• Pericarp which is also known as the ovary wall.
• Seeds that are fertilised and ripened ovules.
• The remaining part of the style or stigma from where these fruits are detached.

                                                                 Fig: True fruits

Types of true fruits

True fruits are classified into three types as follows:

• Simple fruits
• Aggregate fruits
• Composite fruits

Simple fruit

A single ovary with one (monocarpellary) or more carpels (multicarpellary) always gives rise to a simple fruit. 

From monocarpellary ovary

The fruit can be developed from the monocarpellary ovary having a single carpel. 

        Fig: Monocarpellary ovary

From multicarpellary syncarpous ovary

The simple fruit can also be developed from the multicarpellary syncarpous ovary. In this, multiple fused carpels of a single ovary are involved.

              Fig: Multicarpellary syncarpous ovary

Examples of simples fruits

Apricot	It develops from a monocarpellary ovary. It has one carpel with one ovule.                                        Fig: Apricot
Mango	It develops from a monocarpellary ovary. It has one carpel with one ovule.                                   Fig: Mango
Pea	It develops from a monocarpellary ovary. It has one carpel with many ovules.                                   Fig: Pea
Orange	It develops from a multicarpellary syncarpous ovary. It has many carpels fused in one carpel.                          Fig: Orange

Classification of simple fruits

Simple fruits are further divided into two categories based on the differentiation of pericarp. These are as follows:

• Fleshy fruits
• Dry fruits

Fleshy fruits

The type of fruit in which pericarp is differentiated into layers, epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp is known as fleshy fruit. A fleshy portion covers the seed and is formed from a single ovary. 

Types of fleshy fruits

The fleshy fruits are of three types as follows:

• Drupe
• Berry
• Pome

Drupe	The drupe fruits develop from monocarpellary and superior ovaries. They have well differentiated pericarp. Due to the extremely hard seed that is present inside the simple fruits, these are also known as stone fruits. These fruits have edible or fibrous mesocarp. The endocarp normally encloses only one seed. Examples include mango and coconut.                                            Fig: Drupe
Berry	The berries develop from mono or multicarpellary and syncarpous ovary. The ovary either be superior or inferior. These particular fruits are incredibly delicious and have a single seed in the centre. They have thin and leathery epicarp. Massive mesocarp forms the prominent part of the fruit. The endocarp is membranous like in dates or pulpy like in tomatoes. Examples include grapes, blueberries, and tomatoes.                                  Fig: Berry
Pome	Pome is considered a false fruit whose fleshy part is the thalamus. They are formed from the inferior ovary of a compound pistil. These types of fruits bloom from trees. The pericarp encloses the seeds here. Examples include apple, pear etc.                                    Fig: Pome

Dry fruits

In dry fruits, the pericarp is not differentiated into three characteristic layers. The pericarp is not succulent and pulpy. 

Classification of dry fruits based on dehiscence

The dry fruits are classified into two categories based on how pericarp dehisces and the dispersal of seeds occurs. These are as follows:

• Dehiscent 
• Indehiscent

Dehiscent

In dehiscent fruits, pericarp ruptures after maturing, and seeds are dispersed. They are of two types as follows:

• Legume
• Capsules

Legume	Capsule
These types of fruits develop from monocarpellary superior gynoecium	These fruits grow from syncarpous gynoecium that is bi or multicarpellary
Dehiscence begins at the apex or tip and extends to the basal portion.           Fig: Legume - Pea	The dry, numerously chambered, and numerously seeded capsule dehisces in various ways          Fig: Capsule - Poppy

Indehiscent

Pericarp does not rupture even after maturing in indehiscent fruits. They are commonly classified into three types as follows:

• Cypsela
• Caryopsis
• Nut

Classification of dry fruits 

The dry fruits are classified into three categories as follows:

• Achenial fruits
• Capsular fruits
• Schizocarpic fruits

Achenial fruits

They are one seeded simple indehiscent dry fruits. Here the pericarp does not split open at maturity to expose seeds. 

Types of achenial fruits

It is of five types as follows: 

Typical achene 

 It possesses membranous pericarp. This membranous or leathery pericarp is free from the testa of the seed. Examples include Mirabilis jalapa. 

Caryopsis

 It is also called grain. The pericarp here is fused tightly with the testa of the seed. Examples include wheat.

                          Fig: Caryopsis

Cypsela

 It develops from an inferior ovary. It often possesses a crown of hair called pappus. Examples include Sonchus. 

             Fig: Cypsela

Samara

This fruit possesses winged pericarp. Examples include maple fruit.

                           Fig: Samara

Nut

This fruit possesses a hard pericarp. Examples include litchi, chestnut etc. In litchi, the fleshy edible part is the aril which is considered as an outgrowth of the funiculus.

                       Fig: Nut

Capsular fruits

These are many seeded simple fruits. In these fruits the pericarp split open at maturity. So these are dehiscent fruits. 

Classification of capsular fruits

It is of five types as follows: 

Legume

They are also called pods. It is formed from the superior unilocular ovary of a monocarpellary pistil. They show marginal placentation. The mature fruit split along the dorsal and ventral sutures. Examples include pea. 

                          Fig: Pea

Follicle

This fruit is similar to legume but splits open only at the ventral suture alone at maturity. Examples include Delphinium. 

                                        Fig: Follicle

Siliqua

This fruit develops from bicarpellary, syncarpous, superior ovary with parietal placentation. The ovary possesses a false septum called replum.When mature these fruits open into two valves to expose the seeds. The seeds are attached to the replum here. Examples include Brassica. 

                                        Fig: Siliqua

Silicula

It contains only a few seeds. It is a shorter version of siliqua fruit. Examples include Capssella.

                                            Fig: Silicula

Capsule

These are many seeded, dehiscent fruits. Examples include Lady’s finger, poppy etc.

                   Fig: Capsule

Schizocarpic fruits

They are multi-seeded dry fruits. They break into single seeded dehiscent or indehiscent parts. 

Types of schizocarpic fruits

They are of different types as follows: 

Cremocarp

This fruit develops from an inferior ovary. When mature they split into two mericarps. Examples include coriander.

                                     Fig: Cremocarp

Carcerulus

This fruit develops from a superior multilocular ovary with axile placentation. When mature they break up into mericarps. Examples include fruits of Ocimum. 

                      Fig: Carcerulus

Lomentum

This fruit is constricted into one seeded parts which are neither split nor open. Examples include fruits of Acacia. 

Compound samara

This fruit consists of two or more samaras (an achenial fruit with winged pericarp). It splits up at maturity into winged mericarps. Examples include fruits of Dodonaea.

Regma

This fruit develops from a multilocular superior ovary with axile placentation. This fruit dehisces to release the seeds. Examples include castor. 

                         Fig: Regma

Aggregate fruit

These fruits grow from many ripe ovaries that are produced in a single flower. ‘Fruitlets’ are the name for each ovary. The aggregate fruit develops from the apocarpous ovary. A flower that has multiple carpels and an equal number of ovaries serves as the starting point for this procedure. Each ovary houses a single ovule, which after fertilisation transforms into a seed. The ovaries grow bigger and more connected to one another as they develop. They are also called etaerio. Examples of aggregate fruits include the blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry.

               Fig: Apocarpous ovary

Types of aggregate fruits

They are of different types as follows: 

Etaerio of achenes

It is an aggregate of achenes. Examples include strawberries. The edible part is fleshy thalamus in strawberries. 

            Fig: Etaerio of achenes

Etaerio of follicles

Examples include fruits of Michelia.

Etaerio of berries

It is an aggregate of berries. Examples include Annona (custard apple).

                    Fig: Etaerio of berries

Etaerio of drupes

It is an aggregate of drupes. Examples include black berry and raspberry. 

                                                         Fig: Aggregate fruit

Composite fruit

These fruits grow out of an entire inflorescence. Therefore, they are also known as multiple fruits. Here, both the flowers and the peduncles on which they are carried contribute to the fruit's development. An alternative name for this fruit is infructescence. 

Types of composite fruits

Composite fruits are of two types:

• Sorosis
• Syconus

Sorosis

This particular variety of multiple fruits grows from a spadix or spike. Here, the perianth lobes of the flowers fuse together, and at the same time, the axis that supports them turns fleshy and juicy, causing the entire inflorescence to form a compact mass. Examples of sorosis include pineapple and jackfruit. Here, the carpels grow into tiny, seedless nutlets because the ovules do not ripen into seeds.

                                               Fig: Sorosis in pineapple

Syncous

A hollow, pear-shaped, fleshy receptacle that houses multiple tiny male and female flowers develop into this kind of composite fruit. The receptacle grows more and transforms into the supposedly edible fleshy fruit. It really contains several true fruits, also known as achenes, which are produced by the female flowers of the hypanthodium inflorescence. Examples include fig, banyan, and several species of Ficus.

                                           Fig: Fig fruit

False fruits

The fruit that is created from the ripened ovary and some other floral elements, such as the base or receptacle, the perianth, etc., is known as a false fruit. Examples of false fruits include apples, bananas, cashews, and strawberries. Pseudofruit and pseudocarp are other names of false fruit.

                                                               Fig: False fruits

Parthenocarpic fruits

Parthenocarpy is the state in which fruits develop without the development of seeds. This is mostly caused by the lack of plant fertilisation, pollination, and embryo development. Parthenocarpic fruit is referred to as ‘virgin fruit’ in Botany. Usually, seedless fruits fall into this category. 

Parthenocarpy is introduced during cultivation by using additional plant hormones like gibberellic acid. It causes the ovaries to mature without going through the fertilisation process and results in larger, pulpier fruits. This method is appropriate for a wide range of crops, including cucumber and many squash cultivars. A nice example of parthenocarpy is the banana fruit. The bananas that are created through the natural process are sterile, develop without functioning ovules, and do not generate seeds, thus they must propagate vegetatively. Other examples of parthenocarpic fruits include seedless watermelons and grapes.

                    Fig: Parthenocarpic watermelon

Practice Problems

Q 1. Aggregate fruits develop from _________?

a. Multicarpellary apocarpous gynoecium 
b. Inflorescence 
c. Multicarpellary syncarpous, superior gynoecium 
d. Monocarpellary superior gynoecium 

Answer: The aggregate fruits grow from many ripe ovaries that are produced in a single flower. ‘Fruitlets’ are the name for each ovary. The aggregate fruit develops from the apocarpous ovary. A flower that has multiple carpels and an equal number of ovaries serves as the starting point for this procedure. Hence, the correct option is a.

Q 2. Identify the true nut from the following given options.

a. Coconut 
b. Groundnut 
c. Cashewnut 
d. Areca nut 

Answer: Nuts are simple, dry, unilocular, one-seeded fruits. A bicarpellary or multicarpellary syncarpous (united carpels) ovary gives rise to nuts. The fruit wall, or pericarp, is tough and woody. For example, cashew, litchi, oak, etc. Hence, the correct option is c.

Q 3. Determine the indehiscent fruit from the given options.

a. Caryopsis 
b. Pod 
c. Follicle 
d. Berry

Answer: Caryopsis is described as a single-seeded and indehiscent fruit. These are a type of fruit in which fruit does not split naturally after maturation. The fruit wall and seed testa are fused together in this instance. Examples include rice and oats. Hence, the correct option is a.

Q 4. The coconut fruit is an example of which type of fruit?

a. Drupe
b. Berry
c. Nut
d. Capsule

Answer: A monocarpellary gynoecium with a superior ovary develops into a one-seeded fruit called a drupe. A distinctive stony endocarp encircles the seed in this plant. Mango and coconut are common examples. Hence, the correct option is a.

FAQs

Q 1. How much percentage of water does watermelon contain?
Answer: Watermelon contains 92% of water. Therefore, it is a good source of water during the summer season to keep us hydrated.

Q 2. How many varieties of fruits are discovered in the world?
Answer: More than 2000 distinct varieties of fruits exist in this world and many of us are aware of the advantages of consuming diverse fruit varieties.

Q 3. Why do different fruits have different tastes?
Answer: The amount and quantity of sugars have an impact on a fruit's sweetness. Fruits with higher sugar levels are more sweeter fruits. 

Q 4. Why are dried fruits preferred as compared to fresh fruits?
Answer: Dried fruits are preferred over fresh fruits because they contain up to 3.5 times as much fibres, vitamins, and minerals as compared to fresh fruit by weight.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKMEkNrcrmc ( 4:48 - 31:57)

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