Raffi at 05:54, 31 March 2009

2009-03-31T05:54:38Z

Envoy at 04:58, 4 May 2007

2007-05-04T04:58:27Z

New page

[[Image:Achene.jpg|thumb|right|250 pix|[[Dandelion]] achenes]]
[[image:Photos-photos_1088103921_Floating.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Dandelion seeds ([[achene]]s) can be carried long distances by the wind.]]
An '''achene''' is a type of simple dry [[fruit]] produced by many species of [[flowering plant]]s. Achenes are "monocarpellate" (formed from one [[carpel]]) and indehiscent (they do not open at maturity). Achenes contain a single [[seed]] that nearly fills the [[pericarp]], but does not adhere to it. In many species, what we think of as the "seed" is actually an achene, a fruit containing the seed. Typical achenes are the fruits of [[buttercup]], [[buckwheat]], and [[dandelion]]. It is sometimes spelled "akene", and occasionally called "achenium" or "achenocarp."

The most familiar achenes are those of the [[strawberry]], where the "seeds" are the achenes (technically the 'botanical' fruits), while what is eaten as the ('culinary') fruit is a so-called [[accessory fruit]].

Fruits of [[sedge]]s are sometimes considered achenes because they have a one-locule compound ovary. By the same definition, the common fruit type in the Family [[Asteraceae]] is also usually considered ''achene'' (some term the asteraceous achene '''cypsela''', however). A [[sunflower]] "seed" in the husk is not really a seed, but an achene. The white-gray husks are the walls of the fruit.

A [[grain]], a type of fruit closely resembling an achene, differs in that the pericarp is fused to the thin seed coat in the grain.

A winged achene, such as in [[maple]], is a called a [[samara (fruit)|samara]].

A '''utricle''' is like an achene, but it has a compound ovary, rather than a simple one. In addition, its fruit ovary becomes bladdery or corky.

A [[rose]] also produces achenes, which are nestled inside the rose hips (each rose hip, or the fruit, holds a few achenes).

[[Category:Plant morphology]]

== External links ==
* [http://utc.usu.edu/factsheets/CarexFSF/glossary.htm Botanical Glossary]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Image:Achene.jpg|thumb|right|250 pix|[[Dandelion]] achenes]]
 [[image:Photos-photos_1088103921_Floating.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Dandelion seeds ([[achene]]s) can be carried long distances by the wind.]]
-An '''achene''' is a type of simple dry [[fruit]] produced by many species of [[flowering plant]]s. Achenes are "monocarpellate" (formed from one [[carpel]]) and indehiscent (they do not open at maturity). Achenes contain a single [[seed]] that nearly fills the [[pericarp]], but does not adhere to it.  In many species, what we think of as the "seed" is actually an achene, a fruit containing the seed. Typical achenes are the fruits of [[buttercup]], [[buckwheat]], and [[dandelion]]. It is sometimes spelled "akene", and occasionally called "achenium" or "achenocarp."
+Achene (akene). A dry [[indehiscent]] one-seeded [[pericarp]].
-The most familiar achenes are those of the [[strawberry]], where the "seeds" are the achenes (technically the 'botanical' fruits), while what is eaten as the ('culinary') fruit is a so-called [[accessory fruit]].
+{{glossary}}

Achene - Revision history

Raffi at 05:54, 31 March 2009

Envoy at 04:58, 4 May 2007