drupe

A drupe, also called a stone fruit, is a type of fleshy fruit that develops from a single ovary and contains a hard endocarp surrounding the seed. Drupes are a subdivision of simple fruits, distinguished from berries by the presence of a differentiated inner layer around the seed.

Structure: The pericarp consists of three layers: the outer exocarp (skin), the fleshy mesocarp (the edible pulp in many species), and the inner hard endocarp (the stone). Most drupes contain a single seed, although some species may have two.

Examples: Common drupes include peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, and apricots. Mangoes and coconuts are frequently listed as drupes as well. The edible portion is usually the mesocarp, while the seed lies inside the stone; in almonds and pistachios, the edible product is the seed itself contained within a drupe wall.

Related types: Some fruits are not drupes themselves but are aggregates of drupes—drupelets—such as raspberries and blackberries. These fruits comprise multiple small drupes rather than a single seed.

Ecology and use: Drupes are adapted for animal dispersal, with fleshy pulp attracting fruit-eating animals. They have worldwide agricultural and culinary importance, with breeding, harvesting, and processing varying by species.