A fruit where the fleshy, edible portion develops primarily from tissues other than the ovary, such as the receptacle or other flower parts. Apples, strawberries, and pears are common examples.
From Latin 'accessorius' meaning 'additional' or 'supplementary' + 'fructus' (fruit). The term developed in the 19th century as botanists recognized that not all fleshy 'fruits' develop from ovary tissue alone, requiring a distinction from true fruits.
The strawberry plays the ultimate botanical trick - what we think is the fruit is actually the swollen receptacle, while the real fruits are those tiny 'seeds' dotting the surface! Each little speck is a complete achene (fruit) sitting on top of what's essentially a fleshy flower base.
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