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How are the four Rosaceae subfamilies distinguished by their fruits?
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Rosales
Red garden roses (Rosa hybrid). Whereas wild roses have only five petals, most hybrid varieties have been bred to produce numerous petals in a wide range of colours.
The Rosaceae family is divided into four subfamilies, which are primarily distinguished by the characteristics of their fruit:12
- Spiraeoideae (Spirea subfamily): Characterized by follicles, which are dry fruits that open along one side.12
- Rosoideae (rose subfamily): Characterized by achenes (dry fruits that do not open) or, in the case of the genus Rubus, by drupelets (small, aggregated drupes).12
- Amygdaloideae (plum subfamily): Characterized by drupes, which are fleshy stone fruits.12
- Maloideae (apple subfamily): Characterized by pomes, which are fruits in which the floral hypanthium becomes fleshy.12