A specialized type of achene characteristic of grasses where the seed coat is completely fused to the fruit wall, making them inseparable. This is the fruit type of all cereal grains like wheat, rice, and corn.
From Greek 'karyon' (nut, kernel) + 'opsis' (appearance), meaning 'nut-like in appearance.' The term was established in the 19th century as botanists recognized that grass 'seeds' were actually complete fruits fused with their seeds.
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