Capsule (botany)

As a capsule fruit is called in botany a fruit type with an ovary of two or more carpels ( carpels ). Fruit capsules are among the stray fruits that open ( dehiscence ), and so the seeds release. The opening points or lines ( Dehiszenzstellen or lines ) are represented in the ovary. They open over the lignification or drying out of the pericarp. This shrink the resulting flaps ( Valven ) and expand the forming in the scar region gap continuously, a curvature of the flap to the outside is possible. The columella prevents a complete disintegration of the fruit, as not separate the fused septa there. Consequently include capsules of the dried fruit. Fleshy capsules occur mainly in the tropics, examples of European flora are the Spring herbs or the spindle bushes. In distinction to the usual dry forms are referred to as juice capsule. Fruit capsules are found in almost all plant families, but they are missing some in the rose family, the pea family and the composite flowers.

• 4.1 Ventrizide capsule
• 4.2 Lokulizide capsule
• 4.3 Septizide capsule
• 4.4 Septifrage capsule

Classification of capsules

The designation and further subdivision of the fruit capsules made ​​via the type of the opening.

Pores capsule and derived forms

Pores capsule

Pores capsules, perforated capsules or porizide capsules are found only in a few genera, typically they are mainly for snapdragons or bluebells, the best known example is the poppy. The Valven solve this is only very limited downwards, hence no full Dehiszenzlinien, but per carpel exactly give a clear-cut opening in the capsule wall, be dismissed by the seeds. Through the remains of the placenta and the Karpellränder the pores remain laterally separated. The pores are arranged in a circle around the capsule.

Framework capsule

In the pentameric fruit of the Prickly Poppy species a transition to the type of fruit pod is visible. The Valven solving initially from only little from the mature ovary, the fruit is reminiscent of a pore capsule of five carpels with five corresponding pores. Loosen with increasing fruit maturity further, then remains in the distal region back a scaffold -like frame ( Replum ), therefore it is called a frame capsule.

Pod

→ Main article: pod (fruit)

Although the pod of cruciferous considered as a separate type of fruit, but is a special form of the capsule. If you reduce the frame capsule on two carpels, one obtains a pod. A Replum from the combined Karpellrändern and their placentas remain here, as completely replace the Valven. A false septum is clamped in the frame. This fruit shape is also referred to as window capsule.

Immature framework capsule of the Mexican thorn poppy. The bluish lines indicate the remaining frames.

Silicles maturity of one-year silver leaf with ( top) and without Valven (below). The false septum (bottom) shines silvery.

Lid capsule

A lid capsule, also called Pyxidium, opens by a lid that covers all the seed compartments of the capsule. Lid capsules come in at least 17 plant families before, including the foxtail plants ( Amaranthaceae ), Barberry ( Berberidaceae ), cucurbits ( Cucurbitaceae ), potted fruit tree crops ( Lecythidaceae ), myrtle ( Myrtaceae ), plantain family ( Plantaginaceae ) and the nightshade family (Solanaceae ). An additional break a Perikarpring is in the carnivorous kind Genlisea hispidula yet deposited, continue the Dehiszenzlinie may extend spirally.

Gap capsule

Gap capsules are the most common form of capsule fruit. The capsule opens by longitudinal cracks ( Dehiszenzlinien ) to release the seeds. Frequently, opening the capsule over the whole length of the pericarp. The various opening possibilities also occur in combination. Since the fruit is not completely disintegrates, it should not be referred to as a gap fruit.

Ventrizide capsule

Are the opening lines on the ventral side of each carpel, one speaks of a bauchspaltigen or ventriziden capsule. This can occur only when apokarpen gynoecium of non carpels, as the ventral side of the carpels is lost by the intergrowth. A fully coenocarpes gynoecium can not form ventriziden capsules, a partially verwachsenes gynoecium only in accordance with the apokarpem share. This, as with the common bladdernut, be short or, as in the burning bush, exceed the amount of coenokarpen size.

Mature capsule of the Burning Bush

Lokulizide capsule

Bursting with ripe, the outwardly disposed midrib of each carpel, it is called from a rückenspaltigen or dorsiziden capsule. In order to open the seed-bearing compartments, called Loculamente or loculi of each Fruchtbattes individually. Hence the common term results loculicidal or lokulizide capsule. Lokulizide (also lucolicide ) capsules occur with irises, daffodils and primrose. Also a lot of lily plants such as tulips, onions, lilies and grape hyacinths have such a gap capsules.

Septizide capsule

Destroy the capsule along the Verwachsungsnähte thus to the vagina walls ( septa ) of the carpels in the longitudinal direction, so there is a scheidewandspaltige or septizide capsule. A coenokarpes gynoecium can only release the seeds when a small proportion parakarper exists, otherwise does not result in gaping hole. Septizide capsules are found in the St. John's wort, at the Alpenrose or orchids. The most famous septizide capsule is that of cotton. From cotton bolls sources many unicellular seed hairs at the opening.

Septifrage capsule

In addition to the Dehiszenzlinien along the carpels transverse fractures can occur at the septa. It formed septum brittle or septifrage capsules. This form of dehiscence, however, occurs only in combination with a Septizidie or Lokulizidie. Septizid - septifrage capsules are found in the autumn crocus, septifrag - loculizide capsules at the irises or the Buckeyes.