achene

A dry, one-seeded fruit formed from a single carpel, with no special method of opening to liberate the seed (i.e., it does not open spontaneously). Achenes may be smooth-walled (e.g., buttercup); feathery (e.g., traveler's joy); spiny (e.g., corn buttercup); or winged. Winged achenes, produced by, for example, the maple and sycamore, are called samaras.

Related category

• BOTANY

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