An achene (/əˈkiːn/;[1] from Ancient Greekἀ (a) 'privative', and χαίνειν (khaínein) 'to gape'),[2] also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. 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 is called the "seed" is an achene, a fruit containing the seed. The seed-like appearance is owed to the hardening of the fruit wall (pericarp), which encloses the solitary seed so closely as to seem like a seed coat.[2]
The achenes of the strawberry are sometimes mistaken for seeds. The strawberry is an accessory fruit with an aggregate of achenes on its outer surface, and what is eaten is accessory tissue.
Rosa hypanthium encircling separate achene fruits
A rose produces an aggregate of achene fruits that are encompassed within an expanded hypanthium (aka floral tube), which is a structure where basal portions of the calyx, the corolla, and the stamens unite with the receptacle to form a cup-shaped tube.
Some achenes have accessory hair-like structures that cause them to tumble in the wind in a manner similar to a tumbleweed. This type sometimes is called a tumble fruit or diaspore. An example is Anemone virginiana.
A caryopsis or grain is a type of fruit that closely resembles an achene, but differs in that the pericarp is fused to the thin seed coat in the grain.
An utricle is like an achene, but the fruit is bladder-like or inflated.[3]
Fruits of sedges are sometimes considered achenes although their one-locule ovary is a compound ovary.
The fruit of the family Asteraceae is also so similar to an achene that it is often considered to be one, although it derives from a compound inferior ovary (with one locule). A special term for the Asteraceae fruit is cypsela (plural cypselae or cypselas). For example, the white-gray husks of a sunflower "seed" are the walls of the cypsela fruit.[clarification needed] Many cypselas (e.g. dandelion) have calyx tissue attached that functions in biological dispersal of the seed.
^Harris, James G.; Harris, Melinda Woolf (2001). Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary (Second ed.). Spring Lake, Utah: Spring Lake Publishing. p. 131. ISBN0-9640221-6-8. OCLC 45951032 – via Internet ArchiveKahle/Austin Foundation.
Gallery
Cypselae on a dandelion "clock" (the matured capitulum) can disperse in the wind due to the hair-like calyx tissue above each ovary.
A microscopic view of a dandelion "clock" showing the receptacle and the cypselas.
Samaras of Acer buergerianum are achenes with large wing-like structures.
The diaspore of Pulsatilla (family Ranunculaceae) disperses in the wind, either as single achenes or as the entire aggregate of achenes. The achenes have long hairy appendages that developed from the style of the flower.
Coreopsis tinctoria showing 4 stages of inflorescence, with two reddish-brown flower heads containing cypselas
Coreopsis tinctoria flower head containing cypselas forming as florets finish blooming
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Achenes.
May 05, 2023
achene, achene, from, ancient, greek, privative, χαίνειν, khaínein, gape, also, sometimes, called, akene, occasionally, achenium, achenocarp, type, simple, fruit, produced, many, species, flowering, plants, monocarpellate, formed, from, carpel, indehiscent, th. An achene e ˈ k iː n 1 from Ancient Greek ἀ a privative and xainein khainein to gape 2 also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants 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 is called the seed is an achene a fruit containing the seed The seed like appearance is owed to the hardening of the fruit wall pericarp which encloses the solitary seed so closely as to seem like a seed coat 2 Contents 1 Examples 2 Variations 3 References 4 Gallery 5 External linksExamples Edit Cypsela of Cynara The fruits of buttercup buckwheat caraway quinoa amaranth and cannabis are typical achenes The achenes of the strawberry are sometimes mistaken for seeds The strawberry is an accessory fruit with an aggregate of achenes on its outer surface and what is eaten is accessory tissue Rosa hypanthium encircling separate achene fruits A rose produces an aggregate of achene fruits that are encompassed within an expanded hypanthium aka floral tube which is a structure where basal portions of the calyx the corolla and the stamens unite with the receptacle to form a cup shaped tube Variations EditA winged achene as in maple is called a samara Some achenes have accessory hair like structures that cause them to tumble in the wind in a manner similar to a tumbleweed This type sometimes is called a tumble fruit or diaspore An example is Anemone virginiana A caryopsis or grain is a type of fruit that closely resembles an achene but differs in that the pericarp is fused to the thin seed coat in the grain An utricle is like an achene but the fruit is bladder like or inflated 3 Fruits of sedges are sometimes considered achenes although their one locule ovary is a compound ovary The fruit of the family Asteraceae is also so similar to an achene that it is often considered to be one although it derives from a compound inferior ovary with one locule A special term for the Asteraceae fruit is cypsela plural cypselae or cypselas For example the white gray husks of a sunflower seed are the walls of the cypsela fruit clarification needed Many cypselas e g dandelion have calyx tissue attached that functions in biological dispersal of the seed References Edit achene Oxford English Dictionary Online ed Oxford University Press Retrieved 30 July 2018 Subscription or participating institution membership required a b Gilman D C Peck H T Colby F M eds 1905 Achene New International Encyclopedia 1st ed New York Dodd Mead Harris James G Harris Melinda Woolf 2001 Plant Identification Terminology An Illustrated Glossary Second ed Spring Lake Utah Spring Lake Publishing p 131 ISBN 0 9640221 6 8 OCLC 45951032 via Internet Archive Kahle Austin Foundation Gallery Edit Cypselae on a dandelion clock the matured capitulum can disperse in the wind due to the hair like calyx tissue above each ovary A microscopic view of a dandelion clock showing the receptacle and the cypselas Samaras of Acer buergerianum are achenes with large wing like structures The diaspore of Pulsatilla family Ranunculaceae disperses in the wind either as single achenes or as the entire aggregate of achenes The achenes have long hairy appendages that developed from the style of the flower Coreopsis tinctoria showing 4 stages of inflorescence with two reddish brown flower heads containing cypselas Coreopsis tinctoria flower head containing cypselas forming as florets finish bloomingExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Achenes Botanical Glossary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Achene amp oldid 1143004882, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
