A dry dehiscent fruit that develops from a single carpel and splits open along one seam (suture) to release seeds. Follicles are typically found in plants like milkweeds, magnolias, and larkspur.
From Latin 'folliculus' meaning 'small bag or bellows,' diminutive of 'follis' (bag, bellows). The term was adopted into botanical usage in the 18th century to describe fruits that resemble small pouches that split open along one side.
Follicles are like nature's coin purses that only have one zipper! Milkweed follicles are particularly clever - they split open to reveal seeds with silky parachutes that can travel for miles, making them some of the most successful long-distance travelers in the plant kingdom.
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