In angiosperms, the fruit (Latin, fructus) develops from a carpel or aggregation of carpels. Different angiosperms produce a wide variety of different forms of seed-bearing structures.
Achene -- Monocarpellate and indehiscent. Seed is enclosed in the pericarp but does not adhere to it. Examples: dandelion, buckwheat, strawberry.
Caryopsis -- Monocarpellate and indehiscent, similar to an achene, but the pericarp is fused with the seed coat. The caryopsis is the grain. Examples: wheat, rice.
Samara -- A winged achene; a fibrous, papery membrane grows out from the ovary wall of a dry, indehiscent fruit. Examples: Acer (maple), Fraxinus (ash)
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Last revised: 30 December 2011
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