Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The endocarp is the innermost layer of the pericarp that surrounds and protects the seed(s) within a fruit. It can be hard or soft depending on the type of fruit.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The endocarp can be found in fruits like peaches, cherries, and olives where it forms a hard pit around the seed.
In fleshy fruits, the endocarp is crucial for protecting seeds during development and dispersal.
Endocarps can vary significantly in texture from leathery to stony, as seen in citrus fruits versus drupes.
The structure of the endocarp plays a role in seed dispersal mechanisms, influencing how seeds are released from the fruit.
Botanically, the endocarp is one of three layers of the pericarp, with the other two being the exocarp (outer layer) and mesocarp (middle layer).
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Related terms
Pericarp: The part of a fruit formed from the ovary wall after fertilization; consists of three layers: exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp.
Exocarp: The outermost layer of the pericarp or fruit skin.
Mesocarp: The middle layer of the pericarp often responsible for storing nutrients and water; typically fleshy in many fruits.