What is the Difference Between False Fruit and True Fruit?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between true fruit and false fruit lies in their development and the presence of seeds.

True fruit:

  • Develops from the ovary of a flower, which is mature and ripe.
  • Contains seeds, as the seeds develop from the ovules within the ovary.
  • Examples include mangoes, kiwi fruit, blueberries, and plums.

False fruit:

  • Arises from alternative floral elements, such as tepals, bracts, or the thalamus, in addition to the ovary.
  • Does not contain seeds, as it is parthenocarpic in nature.
  • Examples include strawberries, figs, mulberries, cashew nuts, apples, pears, gourds, and cucumbers.

In summary, true fruits are derived from the ovary and contain seeds, while false fruits are derived from other floral elements and do not contain seeds.

Comparative Table: False Fruit vs True Fruit

Here is a table comparing the differences between true fruits and false fruits:

True Fruits False Fruits
Develop from the fertilized ovary Develop from floral parts other than the ovary, such as receptacle, perianth, calyx, etc.
Contain seeds Lack seeds (parthenocarpic)
Examples: Mango, Kiwi fruit, Blueberry, Plum, etc. Examples: Strawberry, Figs, Mulberry, etc.

True fruits are derived from a ripened ovary and its contents, while false fruits are formed from other floral parts, such as the perianth, peduncle, and thalamus, in addition to the ovary. True fruits generally have seeds, whereas false fruits are parthenocarpic, meaning they do not have seeds.