Enkeltlokulære

Enkeltlokulære refers to a biological characteristic observed in certain organisms, particularly plants. It describes a condition where a fruit or seed develops from a single carpel, which is the female reproductive organ of a flower. The term originates from Swedish, with "enkelt" meaning single and "lokuläre" referring to a locule or compartment within the ovary.

Fruits that are enkeltlokulære typically have a simple structure, containing only one seed or a single seed-bearing chamber. This contrasts with fruits that are derived from multiple carpels or ovaries fused together, which may exhibit multiple locules and seeds. Examples of plants that can exhibit enkeltlokulære characteristics include certain types of legumes, where the pod develops from a single carpel and contains a row of seeds. Another example can be seen in some drupes, where the fleshy fruit encloses a single stony pit that contains the seed. Understanding the enkeltlokulære nature of a fruit can be important in botanical classification and in studying the reproductive strategies of different plant species. It is a descriptive term used by botanists to accurately categorize and differentiate plant structures based on their developmental origins.