Cremocarp

/ˈkrɛmoʊkɑːrp/ noun

Definition

In botany, a type of dry seed case that splits into two one-seeded portions when mature, found in plants like carrots and parsnips.

Etymology

From Greek krema (hanging) and karpos (fruit). The term refers to the way the fruit hangs from a central stalk and appears to suspend its seeds, a descriptive botanical term coined in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

The cremocarp is a perfect example of how botanists create jargon by literally describing what they see—'hanging fruit'—and it helps scientists worldwide communicate about plant structures without ambiguity.

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