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A pome is a type of fleshy fruit, such as an apple or pear. It is characterized by a thickened, fleshy outer layer and a central core that typically contains five seeds within a capsule. The word "pome" originates from Middle English and ultimately from the Latin word for apple.1

Fruits, in general, develop from a flower after fertilization. The ovary of the flower enlarges to form the fruit, which serves to protect and disperse the seeds it contains. A pome fruit can also refer to the plant itself that bears these types of fruits, such as a tree or shrub.23

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