Achene

What Does Achene Mean?

The term achene, also known as akene, is used to define a single seed dry fruit, which is hard and needs to be split to release the seed. Just like there are different types of plants, there are also different types of fruit. Examples of extra hard achene include, walnuts and hazelnuts. The more common examples of achene are quinoa, cannabis and buckwheat.

Maximum Yield Explains Achene

Achenes are formed from one carpel or monocarpellete and are known to not open once the plant matures. They are also known as indehiscent plants. Although achene are single seed dry fruits, there are many fruits with achene that are confused or mistaken as seeds.

Achene is produced by many flowering plants. The pericarp or fruit wall of some fruits harden and release achene, which people commonly confuse with seeds. An example of such a plant is strawberries as the hardened achene is often confused as being seeds.

Other achene have hair-like structures and collections of achene that are released by the plants. An example of this is the fussy balls of dandelions, which are a collection of achenes. Sometimes caryopsis and utricle are confused with achene because of their structure, but they are different as well.