Page 31 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Dry fruits
These fruits may be dehiscent, indehiscent or Schizocarpic.
A- Dehiscent fruits
In this type, the pericarp splits along one or more slits to free the enclosed
seeds. These include:
1) Follicle: Monocarpellary from superior ovary one-seeded, splitting along
ventral suture only i.e., where the two margins are joined e.g., fruitlet of Star anise.

2) Legume: Monocarpellary from superior ovary splitting along both ventral
and dorsal sutures e.g., Senna. Here the seeds are arranged on two cords on the
ventral suture.

3) Siliqua: Bicarpellary, from superior ovary splitting by two valves from
base to apex leaving many seeds attached to the false septum e.g. Mustard. If the
fruit is short and broad it is called silicula.

4) Capsule: Bi- or multicarpellary, from inferior or superior ovary,
dehiscence happened through longitudinal slits called valves and is many-seeded.

They may be:
a- Septicidal splitting along longitudinal slit through the septa (ventral
suture) e.g., Colchicum.
b- Loculicidal: splitting along the dorsal suture directly into the locules
e.g., Cardamom.
c- Septifragal: Splitting along ventral and dorsal sutures leaving the seeds
attached to central axis e.g., Datura.
d- Pyxis: Splitting along transverse slit i.e., open by lid e.g., Hyoscyamus.
e- By pores: The capsule may be opened by holes or pores and so called
porous e.g., Poppy capsule.

B- Indehiscent fruits:
Where the pericarp may decay or remain to protect the enclosed seeds but
do not split open. They are usually one-seeded called achenial fruits and include:
1) Achene: Monocarpellary, one-seeded, from superior ovary, pericarp free
from the
testa usually aggregated in groups e.g., Cannabis and Strawberry.
2) Caryopsis or Grain: Like achene but pericarp fused with the testa e.g.,
Maize, and other Gramineous fruits.

3) Cypsela Bicarpellary, unilocular, one-seeded from inferior ovary e.g.,
fruits of Compositae plants.

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