Endocarp (Noun)
Meaning
The hard inner (usually woody) layer of the pericarp of some fruits (as peaches or plums or cherries or olives) that contains the seed; "you should remove the stones from prunes before cooking".
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The pit or stone of a cherry is actually the endocarp, a hard, woody layer that encloses the seed.
- The endocarp of an olive is extremely hard and must be cracked open to reveal the seed inside.
- Peaches and plums have a similar endocarp, a hard stone that contains the seed and must be removed before eating.
- The endocarp of a cherry is usually discarded, but some people use it to make tea or other medicinal products.
- The hard endocarp of a date must be carefully removed to avoid damaging the delicate flesh of the fruit.