Endocarp
Endocarp
Endocarp (pronounced: /ˈɛndəʊkɑːp/) is the innermost layer of the pericarp of a fruit, which directly surrounds the seed. The term is derived from the Greek words "endo" meaning "inside" and "karpós" meaning "fruit".
Etymology
The term "endocarp" is derived from the Greek words "endo", meaning "inside", and "karpós", meaning "fruit". It was first used in the mid-19th century to describe the innermost layer of the pericarp.
Description
The endocarp forms the inner boundary of the fruit and encloses the seed. It can be hard and stony, as in a peach or cherry, or thin and papery, as in an apple or pear. The endocarp helps protect the seed and aids in its dispersal.
Related Terms
- Pericarp: The part of a fruit formed from the wall of the ripened ovary. The pericarp is typically divided into three layers: the outer exocarp, the middle mesocarp, and the inner endocarp.
- Exocarp: The outermost layer of the pericarp. It forms the skin or peel of the fruit.
- Mesocarp: The middle layer of the pericarp. It is often the fleshy part of the fruit that is eaten.
- Seed: The reproductive unit of a flowering plant, typically enclosed within the endocarp.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Endocarp
- Wikipedia's article - Endocarp
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