Question

What is pome and pepo?

Answer 1

Fruits are the fertilised ovary. The fruits developed from the ovary show various modifications. Every family of the flowering plant is characterised by a special type of fruit. Pome and pepo are the modifications of a simple fruit.

Complete answer:
The simple fruit is a fruit which is produced by a single ovary. It is divided into two types- Dry fruits the ones whose coat dries at development and the fleshy fruit where the seed coat develops into exocarp, endocarp and mesocarp which is called the drupe or the berry in which the ovary and its internal parts become extended.
The Pepo is a type of berry in which the outer skin is hard, contains pulp and numerous seeds. For example, cucumber, watermelons. The edible part of the fruit is not separated by any septa.
The pome is an accessory fruit which has cartilaginous endocarp which is produced from the inferior ovary. It consists of one or more carpels which are surrounded by accessory tissues. These are the characteristics of the family Rosaceae. These fruits have a core and contain many small seeds which are enclosed in a rough layer. Example Apple.
Thus, we can conclude that pome and pepo are the modifications of simple fleshy fruits.

Note-
The accessory fruits are the fruits in which the flesh is derived from the adjacent tissue which is present at the outer side of the carpel. It is not produced from the floral ovary.
Pepo is the characteristic fruit of the family Cucurbitaceae.