Stenfrugt

Stenfrugt is a term used in botany to describe a type of fleshy fruit with a hard, stony layer (the endocarp) surrounding the seed. This stony layer is often referred to as the pit or stone. The exocarp is the skin, and the mesocarp is the fleshy part between the skin and the stone. This structure is characteristic of fruits produced by plants in the family Rosaceae, particularly the subfamily Amygdaloideae.

Common examples of stenfrugt include peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, apricots, and olives. Even though almonds are botanically considered stenfrugt, they are typically eaten as a nut because their stony layer is usually removed and the seed is consumed. Mangoes also possess a large, flat stone. The seeds within the stone are protected from damage and predation, allowing them to be dispersed by animals that consume the fleshy part of the fruit. The development of the stone is a key feature distinguishing stenfrugt from other fruit types like berries or pomes.