darkfruited

Darkfruited is a descriptive term used in botany and horticulture to characterize plants that produce fruit with dark pigmented skins or flesh, typically ranging from deep purple to black. It is not a formal taxonomic category, but a qualitative descriptor found in field guides, cultivar descriptions, and marketing materials. The term is occasionally hyphenated as dark-fruited.

Dark coloration arises mainly from anthocyanins, though other pigments can contribute. The trait is influenced by genetics and by environmental factors such as sun exposure, temperature, and soil nutrients, and it can vary with ripeness. It is observed across a variety of fruit crops, including grapes, blueberries, blackberries, plums, cherries, and some tomato and pepper cultivars.

As a non-taxonomic descriptor, darkfruited serves to convey a visible trait to growers and consumers rather than to define a precise scientific category. Descriptions may be subjective and can vary among catalogs or regions; color measurements, when used, are typically qualitative or rely on standardized color references. The term is related to the broader concept of dark fruit and anthocyanin-rich cultivars.