fruchtkern

Fruchtkern is a German term that translates to "fruit seed" or "fruit core." It refers to the hard, central part of certain fruits that contains the seeds. This structure is characteristic of pome fruits, such as apples, pears, and quinces. The fruchtkern is typically enclosed within a fleshy pericarp, which is the edible part of the fruit. The primary function of the fruchtkern is to protect the seeds and facilitate their dispersal, often through consumption by animals that then excrete the seeds elsewhere. The texture and size of the fruchtkern can vary significantly depending on the fruit species. While generally inedible due to its hardness, it plays a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of these plants. In some contexts, the term might also be used more broadly to refer to the seed-bearing part of other fruits, though its most specific application is to pome fruits.