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Name: Matthew D.
Status: other
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2/9/2004
Question:
Why do oranges and other citrus fruits grow in segments?

Replies:
The segments are the sections or carpels of the fruit. Please see the following:

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/termfr4.htm

"The fleshy interior (endocarp) is composed of separate sections (carpels) filled with fluid-filled sacs (vesicles) that are actually specialized hair cells."

Anthony Brach Ph.D.


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