There are a few reasons why some fruits have seeds on the outside.
- To attract animals: Animals are more likely to eat fruits with seeds on the outside, because they can see the seeds and know that they are there. This helps to disperse the seeds to new locations, where they can grow into new plants.
- To make the fruit more nutritious: The seeds of some fruits are a good source of nutrients, such as protein and fat. This makes the fruit more attractive to animals, and it also helps to ensure that the seeds have the nutrients they need to grow into healthy plants.
- To protect the seeds: The seeds of some fruits are protected by a hard outer layer, which helps to protect them from damage. This is especially important for fruits that are eaten by animals, as the animals’ digestive system could damage the seeds.
Some examples of fruits with seeds on the outside include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, figs, and pineapples.
Strawberries are the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside. The red, fleshy part of the strawberry is actually the receptacle, which is the part of the flower that holds the ovaries. The ovaries are located on the outside of the receptacle, and each ovary contains a single seed. When the strawberry is ripe, the seeds become embedded in the receptacle.
Raspberries and blackberries are also aggregate fruits, which means that they are made up of many smaller fruits. The seeds of raspberries and blackberries are located on the outside of the individual fruits.
Figs are a type of syconium, which is a fruit that is made up of a hollow receptacle that is filled with tiny flowers. The seeds of figs are located on the inside of the receptacle.
Pineapples are a multiple fruit, which means that they are made up of many individual fruits that are fused together. The seeds of pineapples are located on the outside of the individual fruits.