Question

A fruit in which the pericarp is differentiated into outer epicarp, middle fleshy or fibrous mesocarp and hard endocarp, is a
A. Drupe
B. Hesperidium
C. Pepo
D. Cypsela

Answer 1

Hint: It is also known as stone fruit. It usually develops from a single carpel and mostly from flowers with superior ovaries.

Complete answer: A fruit in which the pericarp is differentiated into outer epicarp, middle fleshy or fibrous mesocarp, and hard endocarp, is a drupe. It is the hard, lignified stone or pit which is derived from the ovary wall of the flower. In aggregate fruit, it is composed of small, individual drupes which are called drupelets. A drupe is called a stone fruit. It is an indehiscent fruit which contains an outer fleshy part called the exocarp, or skin. In this mesocarp, a flesh surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. These fruits usually develop from a single carpel and mostly from flowers that contain superior ovaries.
B. Hesperidium is a modified berry that results from a single ovary. This fruit consists of 8 to 16 carpels which form the core of the fruit and a segment that contains the seeds and juice.
C. Pepo is a fleshy fruit that contains several-seeds and is developed from one flower that has a single ovary which is divided into several carpels and which develops a firm or tough rind as it matures such as melon, squash, cucumber.
D. A cypsela is a single-seeded dry indehiscent fruit that develops from one part of the inferior ovary which is present on the stalk side of the flower. These are sometimes included with achenes. This is the fruit of a Dandelion.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note: In botany, a drupe is a simple fleshy fruit that usually consists of a single seed, such as the cherry, peach, and olive. It is derived from a single ovary of an individual flower. There are four types of drupe fruits namely they are simple, aggregate, multiple, and accessory fruits. Simple fruits develop from a single ovary of a single flower and may be fleshy and sometimes dry.