Question

Edible part in the fruit of hesperidium is
A. Endocarp
B. Mesocarp
C. Juicy hairs
D. Pericarp

Answer 1

Hint: Citrus fruit is basically a modified berry that is called hesperidium. The citrus fruits are formed from an ovary completely separate from calyx also called superior ovary. Epicarp of hesperidium fruit is leathery. Mesocarp walls contribute to the formation of juicy hair-like structures. In some of the fruits, the edible part is not fully derived from the ovary but from its coat itself.

Complete answer:
Hesperiidae term is coined by Carl Linnaeus. He took the reference from the golden apples of the Hesperides.
The inner wall of the ovary becomes very juicy containing several seeds. Carpels are the fleshy part filled with vesicles or fluid that is specialized hair cells.
The juicy hairs are the edible part of hesperidium. The wall of the ovary surrounds the edible part i.e. the juice hairs forming a protective structure in hesperidium.
The endocarp is the outer layer of fruit. Mesocarp is the middle layer of the pericarp and commonly grows into a thick, fleshy layer of tissue. Pericarp mainly consists of three parts that are epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. It surrounds the seed in order to protect it from the outer environment. The epicarp and mesocarp are fused together to form the skin of the fruit. The exocarp contains volatile oil glands (essential oil) in pits. The juice sacs constitute the fleshy, edible pulp of a fruit and are a source of sweet juice.
Examples: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are all common examples of hesperidium.

Note: A single citrus plant produces thousands of flowers but only 1 percent of those turn into fruit. Citrus fruits need a cold environment to turn its color from green to orange or yellow. Kumquat is the only citrus fruit which is consumed entirely. Banana and pomegranate also come in the hesperidium category as they have leathery exocarp similar to Hesperides. The outer coat of Hesperides is not eaten as it is bitter and tough.