silique n : narrow elongated seed capsule peculiar to the family Cruciferae [syn: siliqua]

English

Alternative spellings

• siliqua

Noun

1. A long (length more than twice the width) dry fruit (seed capsule) typical to cruciferous plants consisting of 2 fused carpels that separate when ripe.

Usage notes

A short silique -like fruit is called silicle, silicula or silicule.

Translations

• Finnish: litu

A silique is a fruit (seed capsule) of 2 fused carpels that separate when ripe, leaving a peristant partition, with the length being more than twice the width. This classification includes many members of the Brassicaceae family, but some members, such as Capsella bursa-pastroris L., have a shorter fruit of similar structure, in which case the fruit is called "silicle".