microcarpus

Microcarpus is a botanical term that describes a plant or fruit with very small seeds. The word itself is derived from Greek, with "mikros" meaning small and "karpos" meaning fruit. This descriptor is often used in scientific classification and descriptions of plant species to highlight a particular characteristic.

While "microcarpus" is not a genus or a specific species on its own, it appears as part of the scientific names of various plants. For example, species within the genus *Acacia* might be designated as *Acacia microcarpa* if they produce fruits with notably tiny seeds. Similarly, other plant families and genera can feature species with this epithet. The presence of small seeds in a microcarpus species can have ecological implications, potentially influencing seed dispersal mechanisms or germination rates. Botanists use this term to provide precise details about plant morphology, aiding in identification and understanding evolutionary relationships between species.