siliqua

Siliqua is a term with several historical and scientific uses. In botany, it refers to a specific type of dry fruit produced by many members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). In historical metrology and numismatics, siliqua has been used to denote a small unit of weight or a coin, though values varied across regions and eras.

Botanically, a siliqua is a long, slender form of a silique, a dry dehiscent fruit that splits along two sutures at maturity to release seeds. The silique/siliqua consists of two locules encased by a persistent replum, with seeds arranged in one or two rows along the central partition. The term is often encountered in older botanical literature; in modern usage, "silique" is the preferred term for many members of Brassicaceae, with "siliqua" reserved for the narrowly elongated form.

Etymology: the word siliqua comes from Latin siliqua meaning "pod." In botanical descriptions, siliqua and silique are related terms that describe variations of the same basic fruit type, with the distinction carrying over to morphological discussions in some taxonomic treatments.

Other uses: in historical contexts, siliqua appears as a unit of weight or coinage in Roman and medieval systems; the exact value and status varied by region and era. In contemporary usage, the term is mostly encountered in botanical literature and historical references.