How does a follicle differ from a legume fruit?

Both follicles and legumes are types of simple, dry, dehiscent fruits derived from a single carpel, but they differ primarily in how they split open at maturity to release their seeds.12

• Follicle: This fruit splits open along only one side, typically the ventral suture. Examples include milkweed, columbine, peony, and larkspur.12
• Legume: This fruit dehisces (splits) along both the dorsal and ventral sutures, effectively forming two valves. This type of fruit is characteristic of most members of the pea family (Fabaceae).123

While the basic legume type is a dehiscent pod, evolution has led to various modifications within the family, including some fruits that do not naturally open (indehiscent) or those that fragment into single-seeded segments.34