# Achene

**Source**: https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/achene
**Parent**: https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/

a dry [indehiscent](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/indehiscent "not opening at maturity.") [fruit](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/fruit "the seed bearing structure developed from the ovary of Magnoliopsida (Angiosperms) after fertilization."), formed from a superior [ovary](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/ovary "the basal portion of a carpel or group of fused carpels in which one or more ovules are enclosed, and which after fertilization develops into the fruit.") of one [carpel](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/carpel "a unit of the gynoecium in which one or more ovules are enclosed. It is usually divided into stigma, style, and ovary.") and containing one [seed](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/seed "the fertilized ovule of a plant, containing an embryo, and sometimes endosperm, which are covered by the seed coat.") which is [free](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/free "united with any other part.") from the [pericarp](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/pericarp "the wall of a fruit. developed from the ovary wall after fertilization.").

## Related terms

- [Cypsela](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/cypsela)
- [Indehiscent](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/indehiscent)
- [Samara](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/samara)

- [Achene](https://eflora.sydney.edu.au/glossary/image/achene "Achene (transverse section below). Shading: seed exposed by sectioning is shown in solid black, ovary walls are cross-hatched.")