Which types of fruit are common in Malvales?

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In the plant order Malvales, fruit types can vary, but certain characteristics are common across its families.

  • Capsules: Many members of the order produce a capsule, which is often described as spiny. The inside walls of these fruits are frequently hairy.1
  • Berries: In the family Muntingiaceae, the fruit is specifically identified as a berry.2
  • Other variations: While capsules are a notable feature, the diversity within the order includes various structures. For instance, some species, such as the durian, produce massive, spiny fruits that contain large seeds surrounded by a fleshy covering known as an aril.3

A consistent trait across many members of the order is that the inside wall of the fruit and the surface of the seeds are often hairy.23