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A Capsule is a Dry Dehiscent Syncarpous Fruit that has more than one locus of Dehiscence. Dehiscence can occur longitudinally or through pores. Some capsules resemble catapults that split along the equator of the ovary, retract and snap forward throwing the seeds out of the ovary. The parts of the fruit into which the fruit splits are called Valves. The number of Valves may be the same as the number of Carpels but these may differ. There are many variations in this type of fruit and there is a wealth of descriptive terminology as well. We will confine ourselves to a general exposition of this topic. Dr. Carr offers an EXCELLENT course in Flowering Plant Families (BOT 361) and he gets more deeply into this realm.
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| The Lilium Ovary contains 3 Carpels. It produces a fruit that is a borderline Capsule because the Valves may separate at maturity and act as individual fruits. | ||
 Hibiscus (Malvaceae) can have a Syncarpous Gynoecium with Five Carpels. |
 Mature Capsule from a plant in the Malvaceae: Note the many lines of Dehiscence and the seeds. |
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 Immature Cotton (Gossypium) Fruit |
 Mature Cotton Fruits |
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  Cyclamen Flowers and Fruits: This is another one of my Favorite Plants!!! Locate the Stigma, Style & Ovary in the Center Image! |
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 Monesis (Wood Nymph) displays a Syncarpous Gynoecium which produces a Capsule at maturity. |
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 Liparis hawaiiensis ('awapuhiakanaloa) One of Three Endemic Orchid Species: Note the Inferior Ovary |
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 Most Orchids have Inferior Ovaries and produce Capsules. Note the minute size of the black seeds in the photo on the extreme right! |
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 Aristolochia Face View |
 Aristolochia Side View which shows the position of the Androecium and Gynoecium as seen from the outside. |
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 Sequence of Immature to Mature Fruits. Note the Numerous lines of Dehiscence which show that this fruit is a Capsule. |
 Aristolochia Internal View: The Androecium (yellow) is adnate to the Gynoecium. |
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 Link to Capsella Flowers & Fruits |
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