Which one of the following denotes a ‘true’ fruit?
When only the thalamus of the flower grows and develops into a fruit
When only the receptacle of the flower develops into a fruit
When fruit originates only from the calyx of a flower
When only the ovary of the flower grows into a fruit
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2018
A) When only the thalamus…: If the thalamus develops into the edible part of the fruit, it is considered a false fruit or accessory fruit (e.g., apple, pear).
B) When only the receptacle…: Similar to the thalamus, if the receptacle contributes significantly to the fruit structure, it’s an accessory fruit (e.g., strawberry, where the receptacle becomes the fleshy part).
C) When fruit originates only from the calyx…: The calyx (sepals) can sometimes persist or even enlarge in the fruit (e.g., in strawberry where persistent calyx is present, or ground cherry where it encloses the fruit), but the fruit itself develops from the ovary. If the calyx formed the primary fruit structure, it would not be a true fruit originating *only* from the ovary.
D) When only the ovary of the flower grows into a fruit: This is the definition of a true fruit. The fruit wall (pericarp) is derived from the ovary wall.
– False fruits (accessory fruits) involve other floral parts besides the ovary in their formation (e.g., thalamus, receptacle, calyx).
– The ovary contains ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization.