Pericarp
/ˈpɛrɪˌkɑrp/
Definition
Pericarp refers to the wall of a fruit that develops from the ovary wall after fertilization. It is a plant structure that surrounds the seeds and may be thin and dry, as in grains, or thick and fleshy, as in peaches. Botanists often describe three layers: exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. This distinguishes pericarp from the seed coat, which forms from the ovule and covers the seed itself.
Function in Plants
- Seed protection: In many fruits, the pericarp helps shield developing seeds from drying, mechanical damage, and some animal feeding until the seeds are mature.
- Dispersal strategy: Its texture and thickness influence how fruits spread seeds. A fleshy outer layer can attract animals, while a dry, lightweight one may aid splitting, wind movement, or attachment.
- Fruit type clues: Botanists use its structure to distinguish major fruit types, such as fleshy berries and drupes versus dry capsules, legumes, and grains.
- Harvest and storage traits: In food and garden crops, the pericarp affects firmness, cracking, and shelf life. These traits matter in tomatoes, peppers, cereal grains, and many seed-bearing fruits.
Related Terms
Fruit
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Ovary
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Seed
Seed is a plant structure formed after fertilization that contains a young plant embryo, stored food, and a protective…
Berry
Berry refers to a fleshy fruit that develops from a single ovary and usually contains one or more seeds embedded in the…
Drupe
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Pepo
Pepo refers to a type of berry in which the fruit develops from a single ovary and has a hard or leathery rind with…
Carpel
Carpel refers to the female reproductive structure of a flower. A single carpel consists of an ovary, which contains…
Placenta
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