How are fruits classified? A botanical guide
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4 min read
The botanical definition of a fruit—a mature, ripened ovary of a flowering plant—is far more precise than its culinary counterpart. This distinction reveals that many items commonly used as vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, are technically fruits, while some sweet treats like rhubarb are not. The intricate system of fruit classification helps botanists understand plant reproductive biology, evolution, and seed dispersal strategies.