What is the Difference Between Dry Dehiscent and Dry Indehiscent Fruit

The main difference between dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruit is that the dry dehiscent fruit opens at maturity to discharge its seeds whereas dry indehiscent fruit does not open at maturity to discharge seeds. Furthermore, dehiscent fruit bursts open when dry while the indehiscent fruit opens by either deterioration or spread by consumption by animals. Moreover, some of the examples of dry dehiscent fruit are pumpkin and nuts, peas, and beans while some of the examples of the indehiscent fruit are sunflowers and dandelions.   

Dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruit are two types of dry fruits, containing a hard, papery or dry pericarp. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is a Dry Dehiscent Fruit
     – Definition, Opening of the Fruit, Importance
2. What is a Dry Indehiscent Fruit
     – Definition, Opening of the Fruit, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Dry Dehiscent and Dry Indehiscent Fruit
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Dry Dehiscent and Dry Indehiscent Fruit
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Dispersal of Seeds, Dry Dehiscent Fruit, Dry Fruit, Dry Indehiscent Fruit, Simple Fruit

What is a Dry Dehiscent Fruit 

Dry dehiscent fruit is one of the two types of dry fruits with a dry, hard or papery pericarp. Also, the main significant feature of dry fruits is the opening of the fruit when dried after maturity. It helps in the dispersal of seeds. Furthermore, there are several types of dry dehiscent fruits such as legume, follicle, lomentum, silique, and capsule. Here, legumes have a dry seed pod, which split into two when dry. Some of the examples of legumes are sweet-pea, alfalfa, pea, peanut, runner bean, etc. On the other hand, the follicle is a dry dehiscent fruit, which only opens from one side. It may contain one or several seeds and fruit of peony, columbine, and larkspur are examples of follicle fruits.

Figure 1: Peony Fruit

Moreover, lomentum is a type of legume with constrictions between seeds. The fruit of the golden chain tree is an example of a lomentum. Also, silique is another type of dry dehiscent fruit with a long, thin, papery membrane, which splits into two. The fruit is a wallflower, cabbage, honesty, and radish are examples of siliques.

Additionally, the capsule is the most common type of dry dehiscent fruit. Generally, there are several types of capsules, including the valvate capsule, porose capsule, loculicidal capsule, circumscissile capsule, etc. Some of the examples of capsule fruits are cotton, eucalyptus, mahogany, etc.

What is a Dry Indehiscent Fruit 

Dry indehiscent fruit is the second type of dry fruits, which does not open at maturity. Therefore, this fruit has to wait until animal consumption or deterioration to discharge seeds. Generally, there are several types of dry indehiscent fruits, including achene, cypsela, nut, nutlet, samara, caryopsis, etc. Here, achene is a single-seeded dry indehiscent fruit whose seed coat is not a part of the fruit coat. The fruit of sunflower, buttercup, dahlia, English merigold, and zinnia are some of the examples of dry indehiscent fruit. Also, the cypsela is a dry indehiscent fruit develops from a single inferior ovary. Dandelion and daisy are examples of cypsela fruits.

Figure 2: Sunflower Fruit

Furthermore, a nut is a single-hardened achene fruit. Chestnut, Hazel, and hickory are examples. Also, nutlets are an especial type of fruits found within the mint family. They are single-seeded, achene-type fruits held at the bottom of the calyx.

On the other hand, caryopsis is a simple achene-type fruit with a seedcoat fused with the fruit coat. Moreover, samara is an independent dry indehiscent fruit whose fruit wall extends to form a wing. The fruits like maple and ash are schizocarpic samara fruits, containing several samaras.  

Similarities Between Dry Dehiscent and Dry Indehiscent Fruit 

• Dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruit are two types of dry fruit. 
• Both contain a hard, papery or dry pericarp. 
• However, they are true fruits that develop after fertilization.  
• Therefore, they contain seeds. 
• And, the main function of them is to aid in the dispersal of seeds. 

Difference Between Dry Dehiscent and Dry Indehiscent Fruit 

Definition  

Dry dehiscent fruits, to release its contents, split along a built-in line of weakness in the plant structure and is common among true fruits. Dry indehiscent fruits do not open at maturity in a pre-defined way but rely on predation or decomposition to release the seeds.  

Opening of the Fruit  

Dry dehiscent fruit opens at the maturity to disperse seeds while dry indehiscent fruit does not open at the maturity. Thus, this is the main difference between dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruit.

Method of Opening of the Fruit 

Besides, the dehiscent fruit bursts open when dry while the indehiscent fruit opens by either deterioration or spread by consumption by animals. Hence, this is another difference between dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruit.

Types 

The five main types of dehiscent fruits are legume, follicle, lomentum, silique, and capsule while the four main types of dry indehiscent fruits are achene, nut, samara, and caryopsis. 

Conclusion 

Dry dehiscent fruits are a type of dry fruits, which open up at maturity to discharge seeds. Therefore, the dispersal of seeds mainly occurs through the wind. On the other hand, dry indehiscent fruit is the other type of dry fruits, which does not open at maturity by themselves. But, these fruits get opened either by deterioration or by the consumption of animals. However, both dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruits are simple fruits with seeds. Therefore, the main difference between dry dehiscent and dry indehiscent fruit is the opening of the fruit at maturity. 

References:

1. “Fruits.” The Seed Site, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Peony fruit dehiscence” By Nadiatalent – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “210802” By AllNikArt (Pixabay License) via Pixabay