Gnephosis

Gnephosis is a term sometimes used in botany to describe a type of fruit structure where the fruit wall is fused to the seed coat. This fusion makes it difficult or impossible to separate the fruit wall (pericarp) from the seed. The term is relatively uncommon and not consistently applied across all botanical literature, with other, more specific terms often preferred depending on the precise nature of the fusion and the type of fruit involved. It's important to note that the precise mechanism and developmental origins of gnephosis can vary. The intimate connection between the pericarp and seed coat represents a key adaptation in some species, aiding in dispersal or germination.