TOMATO OR BERRY TYPE 



77 



Nature and Types of Fruits of Flowering Plants 



A fruit is difficult to define because not all fruits involve the 

 same structures in their formation. Some fruits are only much 

 enlarged ovaries; but there are others which involve other struc- 



FIG. 75. A, cross section of a Tomato. B, cross section of an Orange 

 ), ovary wall; p, placentas; s, seeds; a, partition walls; I, locules. 



w 



tures closely related to the ovary. Since fruits involve a number 

 of structures in their formation, it will be best to study some 

 types and then formulate a definition. 



Tomato or Berry Type. The fruit of 

 the Tomato consists of the ovary which 

 has enlarged and become fleshy and juicy. 

 The most edible portion consists of the 

 fleshy enlargements which develop from 

 the inner angle of the locules and almost 

 fill them. These enlargements bear the 

 seeds and hence are the placentas much 

 enlarged. Also the citrus fruits, such as 

 Oranges, Lemons, etc., are of the berry 

 type. However, they have no fleshy 

 placentas. The seeds are attached to the 

 small central core, and the juicy tissues 

 developing from other parts of the ovary 

 and filling the locules constitute the flesh 

 of these fruits. The fleshy and juicy 

 features are characteristics of the berry; and a berry is often 

 defined as a fleshened juicy ovary. (Fig. 75.) 



FIG. 76. Lengthwise 

 section through a Plum, 

 s, seed; p, wall of pit; 

 /, fleshy portion of ovary. 



