Virgin fruit, also known as parthenocarpic fruit, refers to fruit that develops without the fertilization of the ovule. This means the fruit develops without seeds.
Understanding Parthenocarpy
Parthenocarpy is a Greek word meaning "virgin fruit." The phenomenon occurs when the fruit develops without the fertilization of the ovule.
In simpler terms:
- The flower's ovule (which typically needs fertilization to become a seed) develops into a fruit without fertilization.
- As a result, the fruit is seedless.
Key Characteristics of Virgin Fruit
Here's a table summarizing the key characteristics:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Development | Develops without fertilization of the ovule |
| Seed Presence | Seedless |
| Process Name | Parthenocarpy |
Examples
While the provided reference does not give specific examples, some well-known examples of parthenocarpic fruit (virgin fruit) are bananas, some varieties of grapes, and certain types of cucumbers.
