Hesperidium

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This text includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this text by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (May 2009)

A hesperidium (plural hesperidia) is a modified berry with a tough, leathery rind. The peel contains volatile oil glands in pits. The fleshy interior is composed of separate sections, called carpels, filled with fluid-filled vesicles that are actually specialized hair cells.

The outer ovary wall becomes the thick spongy layer, while the inner ovary wall becomes very juicy with several seeds.

Oranges and other citrus fruits are common examples.

Unlike most other berries, the rind of hesperidia is generally not eaten with the fruit because it is tough and bitter. A common exception is the kumquat, which is consumed entirely.

The outermost, pigmented layer of rind contains essential oils and is known as the flavedo. When scraped off and used as a culinary ingredient it is called zest. The inner rind (known as pith or albedo) of the citron or lemon is candied in sugar and called succade.

[edit] See also

Look up hesperidium in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Fruit anatomy
• Peel (fruit)

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hesperidium

• Bailey, H. and E. BAILEY. 1976. Hortus Third. Cornell University MacMillan. N.Y. p 275

This fruit-related text is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Rutaceae text is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

v • d • e Types of fruits Types of Fruits Achene · Berry · Capsule · Caryopsis · Drupe · False berry · Follicle · Hesperidium · Legume · Loment · Nut · Pepo · Pome · Samara · Schizocarp · Silique · Syconium Categories of Fruits Accessory fruit · Simple fruit · Aggregate or compound fruit · Multiple fruit · Dehiscent fruit Function Diaspore · Drift fruit