Plural of caryopsis; a type of simple dry fruit where the seed coat and fruit wall are fused together, common in grasses and grains.
From Greek karyon (nut) and opsis (appearance), literally 'nut-like appearance.' The term was formalized in botanical Latin to describe the unique grain fruits of cereal plants.
This is why wheat and rice grains look the way they do—the fruit wrapper is literally glued to the seed inside, making them super efficient packages that protect and disperse seeds together, which is why we can plant grain seeds directly.
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