Question

Differentiate between aggregate fruit with multiple fruit.

Answer 1

1. Aggregate fruit:
   Aggregate fruits develop from a single flower having an apocarpous pistil. Each of the free carpel is developed into a simple fruitlet. A collection of simple fruitlets makes an aggregate fruit. An individual ovary develops into a drupe, achene, follicle or berry. An aggregate of these fruits borne by a single flower is known as an etaerio. Example: Magnolia, Raspberry, Annona and Polyalthia.
2. Multiple or Composite fruit: A multiple or composite fruit develops from the whole inflorescence along with its peduncle on which they are borne.

• Sorosis: A fleshy multiple fruit which develops from a spike or spadix. The flowers fused together by their succulent perianth and at the same time the axis bearing them become fleshy or juicy and the whole inflorescence forms a compact mass. Example: Pineapple, Jack fruit and Mulberry.
• Syconus: A multiple fruit which develops from hypanthodium inflorescence. The receptacle develops further and converts into fleshy fruit which encloses a number of true fruit or achenes which develops from female flower of hypanthodium inflorescence. Example: Ficus.