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| | [[Image:Achene.jpg|thumb|right|250 pix|[[Dandelion]] achenes]] | | [[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.]] | | [[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]]. |
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| − | 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]].
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | A winged achene, such as in [[maple]], is a called a [[samara (fruit)|samara]].
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| − | 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.
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| − | A [[rose]] also produces achenes, which are nestled inside the rose hips (each rose hip, or the fruit, holds a few achenes).
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| − | [[Category:Plant morphology]]
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | * [http://utc.usu.edu/factsheets/CarexFSF/glossary.htm Botanical Glossary]
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