cremocarp

A cremocarp is a type of dry, indehiscent fruit that develops from a two-carpellate ovary and splits into two one-seeded mericarps upon maturity. This distinctive fruit type is characteristic of plants in the Apiaceae family, formerly known as Umbelliferae, which includes familiar plants like carrots, parsley, dill, and fennel. The name "cremocarp" originates from the Greek words "kremanna," meaning to hang, and "karpos," meaning fruit, alluding to how these fruits often hang from the plant.

Each mericarp, which is essentially half of the cremocarp, is typically separable from its central axis, called the carpophore. This carpophore is a remnant of the ovary and persists after the mericarps have detached. The shape and surface features of the mericarps can vary significantly between species, often displaying ribs, oil ducts, or other specialized structures that aid in dispersal or identification. These features are diagnostically important for classifying plants within the Apiaceae family. The split into mericarps is a key characteristic that distinguishes cremocarps from other fruit types.