microcarpous

Microcarpous is a term used in botany to describe plants that produce very small fruits. This characteristic is often observed in certain species of flowering plants. The term originates from the Greek words "mikros" meaning small and "karpos" meaning fruit. While the size of the fruit is the primary defining feature, microcarpous plants may also exhibit other related traits, such as a large number of fruits produced per plant or a rapid maturation of their small fruits.

The ecological significance of microcarpy can vary. In some cases, the small fruits may be adapted for dispersal by small animals or birds. The sheer abundance of small fruits could also be a strategy to ensure a certain number survive predation. In other instances, the small fruit size might be a consequence of other adaptations, such as resource limitation or specific pollination strategies.

Examples of plants that can be described as microcarpous are found across various families. For instance, some species of berries, such as certain types of currants or gooseberries, might be considered microcarpous due to their diminutive fruit size. However, the term is not a strict taxonomic classification but rather a descriptive adjective applied based on observed morphology. The specific size threshold for a fruit to be considered "microcarpous" is not rigidly defined and can be relative to the plant's overall size or the typical fruit size within its genus or family.