A fruit is defined botanically as the seed-bearing structure that develops from the ovary of a flowering plant after fertilization. Its primary function is to protect and help disperse seeds for plant reproduction. This means that fruits develop from the flower's ovary and contain seeds inside, which distinguishes them from vegetables, which are other parts of the plant such as roots, stems, and leaves
. Key characteristics that make a fruit a fruit include:
- Developing from the flower's ovary.
- Containing seeds or seed-bearing structures.
- Often having a pericarp, the ovary wall, which may be fleshy (as in berries) or hard (as in nuts).
- Serving the biological purpose of seed dispersal.
Examples of botanical fruits include apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and even nuts, despite some of these being commonly thought of as vegetables in culinary contexts
. In summary, a fruit is a mature ovary of a flowering plant that contains seeds and functions to aid in seed dispersal, distinguishing it from other plant parts classified as vegetables
