What is the Difference Between True Fruit and False Fruit

The main difference between true fruit and false fruit is that true fruit or the eucarp develops from the mature, ripened ovary whereas the bulk of the false fruit or pseudo-carp develops from the floral parts other than the ovary. 

True fruit and false fruit are two types of fruits classified based on the type of floral part from which the fruit develops. True fruit develops after fertilization while false fruit develops without fertilization. Moreover, some examples of true fruits are mango, maize, grape, etc. while some examples of false fruit are cashew-nut, which develops from the peduncle, apple, pear, gourd, and cucumber, which develop from the thalamus, jack fruit and pineapple, which develop from the entire inflorescence, etc.  

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is a True Fruit
     – Definition, Development, Examples
2. What is a False Fruit
     – Definition, Development, Examples
3. What are the Similarities Between True Fruit and False Fruit
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between True Fruit and False Fruit
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Eucarp,  False Fruit, Fertilization, Floral Parts, Ovary, Parthenocarpic, Pseudo-carp, Seeds, True Fruit

What is a True Fruit 

True fruit or the eucarp is the fruit that develops from the mature and ripened ovary after fertilization. The seeds develop from the ovules inside the ovary. Moreover, the second part of the true fruit is the pericarp. It is the outer layer, which is often edible. It may be colourful and aromatic. Furthermore, the three layers of the pericarp are the epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. 

Figure 1: White Peach

Furthermore, there are three types of fruits known as simple fruits, aggregate fruits, and multiple fruits. There are two types of simple fruits known as fleshy fruits and dry fruits. The two types of fleshy fruits are the drupes (ex: mango and peach) and berries (ex: grape and orange) while the two types of dry fruits are the dehiscent fruits, which open to discharge seeds, and indehiscent fruits, which do not open to discharge seeds. 

Moreover, aggregate fruits contain many ovaries fused together as in raspberry. Also, their individual fruitlets are arranged around the receptacle. On the other hand, multiple fruits or composite fruits develop from the entire inflorescence.  

What is a False Fruit 

False fruit or accessory fruit is the fruit that mainly develops from parts of the flower other than the ovary. However, some flesh of the false fruit is derived from the ovary. Generally, most of the false fruit develops from the hypanthium, which is the cup-like enlargement of the receptacle that surrounds the ovary. Usually, hypanthium occurs in epigynous fruits. Some fruits that develop from the hypanthium are apples, pear, gourd, and cucumber.

Figure 2: Pineapple

Moreover, jack fruit and pineapple develop from the entire inflorescence. In addition, the peduncle, which is the main stem of the inflorescence, develop into the fruit in cashew-nut. In contrast, the fused perianth develops into the fruit in mulberry. Additionally, the calyx of the Dillenia develops into the fruit. More importantly, it develops without undergoing fertilization. Therefore, false fruit is seedless.  

Similarities Between True Fruit and False Fruit 

• True fruit and false fruit are two types of fruits that develop from different floral parts. 
• Angiosperms develop fruits to aid in the dispersal of seeds.  
• Both contain structural parts, enclosing the seeds. 
• Also, these enclosing structural parts can be sweet, juicy or pulpy, coloured, and aromatic. 

Difference Between True Fruit and False Fruit 

Definition 

True fruit refers to a fruit in which all tissues are derived from a ripened ovary and its contents while the false fruit refers to a fruit formed from other parts of the plant as well as the ovary, especially the receptacle. Thus, this explains the main difference between true fruit and false fruit.

Other Names 

Another name for the true fruit is the eucarp while other names for the false fruit are pseudo-carp, parthenocarpic fruit, and accessory fruit.  

Development 

Moreover, true fruits develop from the mature and ripened ovary while the bulk of the false fruit develops from the floral parts other than the ovary. 

Formation 

Also, another difference between true fruit and false fruit is their formation. True fruit forms after fertilization while false fruit develops without fertilization.  

Seeds 

In addition, true fruits contain seeds while false fruit is parthenocarpic and does not contain seeds. Hence, this is also a difference between true fruit and false fruit.

Examples 

Some examples of true fruits are mango, maize, grape, etc. while some examples of false fruit are cashew-nut, which develops from the peduncle, apple, pear, gourd, and cucumber, which develop from the thalamus, jack fruit and pineapple, which develop from the entire inflorescence.  

Conclusion 

True fruit is the mature and ripened ovary developed after fertilization. Therefore, the ovules inside the ovary also develop into seeds. Furthermore, pericarp and seeds are the two parts of true fruit. On the other hand, false fruit is the fruit containing most of the parts developed from other floral parts than the ovary. Also, it develops without fertilization. Moreover, false fruit does not contain seeds. Hence, the main difference between true fruit and false fruit is a type of floral part from which the fruit develops and undergo fertilization. 

References:

1. Gorski, Stephanie. “Types of Fruit: True, False & Parthenocarpic.” Study.com, Study.com, Available Here. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “White nectarine and cross section02 edit” By Fir0002 – File:White nectarine and cross section02.jpg modified by user:Noodle snacks (GFDL 1.2) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Pineapple and cross section” By fir0002flagstaffotos [at] gmail.comCanon 20D + Sigma 150mm f/2.8 – Own work (GFDL 1.2) via Commons Wikimedia