An apple is called a false fruit because the fleshy part we eat is not derived from the flower's ovary, but from the swollen receptacle of the flower.
Understanding the True Fruit
- True fruits develop directly from the ovary of a flower, which contains the seeds. Examples include berries, drupes, and legumes.
- False fruits, also known as accessory fruits, develop from other parts of the flower besides the ovary. These parts can include the receptacle, the calyx, or the hypanthium.
The Apple's Structure
- The receptacle is the part of the flower stem that supports the ovary. In apples, the receptacle swells and forms the fleshy part we eat.
- The true fruit of the apple is the core, which contains the seeds. The core is the actual ovary of the flower.
Why is this important?
Understanding the difference between true and false fruits is important for botanical classification and understanding the evolution of fruits. It also helps explain the unique characteristics of certain fruits, like the apple's fleshy exterior.
Other Examples of False Fruits
- Strawberries: The fleshy part we eat is the swollen receptacle, while the true fruits are the tiny seeds on the surface.
- Pears: Similar to apples, the fleshy part is the swollen receptacle, and the core contains the true fruit.
- Figs: The fleshy part is the inside of the flower's receptacle, and the seeds are embedded within.
