Classification Of Fruits | All Global Updates
Mia Lopez
Published Apr 08, 2026
· Fruits that are formed without including the accessory structures are called true fruits e.g. tomatoes while those including accessory structures are false fruits e.g. pears.
· Fruits may be classified based on the number of ovaries, number of flowers and other structures forming the fruit, into;§ Simple fruits§ Fruits formed from one ovary in one flower § Aggregate fruits§ Fruits formed from more than one ovary of one flower§ Multiple fruits§ Fruits formed from an inflorescence and include accessory structures
· After maturity, fruits are also classified into fleshy/Succulent or dry fruits§ Fleshy/Succulent fruits may be soft or hard§ Simple succulent fruits· Have soft and fleshy epicarp and formed from single ovary · They include;o Berries § Have soft epicarp and fleshy mesocarp and endocarpo Hesperidiums § Berries with a thicker skin containing oilso Pepos§ Berries with a comparatively thick exocarp or rindo Drupes/stones§ Have edible exocarp and fleshy mesocarp and inedible, hard stone-like endocarpo Pome § A fleshy fruit with mature ovary and accessory structures e.g. petals, sepals and receptacleo Polydrupes § Are soft aggregate fruits (fusion of several drupes) e.g. strawberries, blackberries etc. § Dry fruits may be dehiscent or indehiscent depending on whether they split open to release the seeds or not. They include;§ Simple dry indehiscent fruits· Samarao A winged fruit· Acheneo A hard dry fruit with one seed which almost feels the pericarp but attached loosely· Nuts o Simple dry fruit similar to achenes, but formed from two or three carpels. Pericarp is relatively hard and heavy· Caryopsiso It is a simple, dry fruit in which the testa and pericarp are fused § Simple dry dehiscent fruits · Legumes o Are dry fruits which split along both dorsal and ventral sutures to release their seeds e.g. Cassia angustifolia · Follicleso Dry fruits which splits along inner suture only e.g. strophanthus· Capsules o Dry fruits formed from two or more carpels § Valvate Capsule –the tip split open § Porose capsule –form pores to release seeds§ Loculicidal capsules –splits along locules § Circumscissile capsules –split through the centre of the fruit§ Septicidal capsule –split along the septa
