Pseudo fruits: what are they?

Have you ever heard of pseudo fruits? These are structures deriving from the transformation of some organs of the flower such as ovary, receptacle, sepals or petals. In any case, even these structures are commonly defined as “fruits”.

The classifications of pseudo fruit

Although many do not know the expression “pseudo fruits”, many of these fruits are habitually  consumed.

Here are the main groups of pseudo fruit.

• Rosehip: derives from the enlargement of the rose receptacle. Its copular form is rather fleshy and contains the achenes which constitute the true fruits. Very often the rose hips of botanical roses are used as an ornament, while those of wild rose are very well suited for the preparation of jams.
• Pomo: this is the accessory fruit of plants belonging to the Rosaceae family, especially the Maloideae. In the case of apples, the real fruit would be the core, while the part considered edible is the receptacle. Among these pseudo fruits we can mention apple, pear, quince and medlar.
• Siconium: it is the fruit of the fig or sycamore. More precisely, it is a compound inflorescence of the Moraceae family. The syconium is formed by a fleshy, hollow and rather large receptacle.
• Sorosio: it is an infructescence belonging to the category of “pseudo fruits”, since it originates from the union of several fruits. An example of sorose is mulberry, as well as pineapple.

The list of the most common pseudo fruits

The list of pseudo fruits is quite varied; here are the ones we find most often on our tables.

• Strawberry: it is a complex of achenes, that is the yellow seeds that are seen on the surface.
• Pineapple: it is not only a pseudo fruit, but also a compound fruit; its pulp derives from the pistils, rather than from the receptacle.
• Melon: is a berry derived from the development of the ovary.
• Apple: the real fruit is the core, while the remaining pulp relates to the receptacle.
• Pear: as for the apple, the fruit relates to the core, while the pulp is the receptacle.

So, which is your favorite pseudo fruit? In any case, whether botanically considered “false” or true, RivaReno ice cream parlors offer you excellent and seasonal fruits: in this way we are sure to supply to our customers a naturally good ice cream!