Pericarp

pericarp

1. the part of a fruit enclosing the seeds that develops from the wall of the ovary

2. a layer of tissue around the reproductive bodies of some algae and fungi

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pericarp [′per·ə‚kärp]

(botany)

The wall of a fruit, developed by ripening and modification of the ovarian wall.

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Pericarp 

the wall surrounding the seed of a plant. It develops from the embryo, sometimes with the other organs attached to it that make up the flower (for example, the perianth). The pericarp comprises the epicarp, endocarp, and mesocarp. The epicarp develops from the outer epidermis, the endocarp from the inner epidermis, and the mesocarp from the mesophyll of the carpel. If the mesophyll is differentiated into various tissues, then there is an exomesocarp (for example, the succulent part of a cherry) and a mesendocarp (the pit). The pericarp’s consistency is used in the classification of fruits (for example, dry or juicy) and helps identify fruits as being nuts, berries, or drupes.