The term compound fruit is not used in botany, but is sometimes used when it is not clear which of several fruit types a fruit belongs to. A compound fruit is "composed of two or more similar parts".
A compound fruit may be:
- An aggregate fruit, in which one flower contains several separate ovaries, which grow together during development.
- A multiple fruit, in which several flowers, each with an ovary, develop into small fruits that grow together into a larger fruit.
- A simple fruit formed from a compound ovary.
Grapes grow in clusters, but are not compound fruits. Each grape is grown from one ovary in one flower, and they are not attached to one another.
References[change | change source]
- Hickey, M.; King, C. (2001). The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. translated by. Cambridge University Press.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)