Fruit Final

SPECIAL PAPER: ETHNOBOTANY (M. Sc.
BOTANY) 1
FRUITS
Dr. ZAFAR ULLAH ZAFAR
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The term fruit is used in the popular sense normally understood to swollen
ovaries, which have soft often juicy and sweet flesh which is commonly eaten raw. But
in botany it can be defined as the seed bearing portion of plant that consist of ripened
ovary and its content. Fruit may be simple, compound or aggregate. Simply fruits are
derived from a single ovary, compound fruits from numerous carpals of same flower
while composite fruit develop from the ovaries of different flowers of an inflorescence.
Most of the fruits are rich source of sugars especially reducing sugars such as
fructose, glucose and maltose. Some fruits have sour taste due to organic acids such as
like citric acid, tartaric acid and malic acid. Fruits are rich source of minerals like K, Ca,
P, N and Fe and most fruits have vitamins too like Vitamins A, B and C.
Fruits are very important diet for human consumption and especially for diabetic
patients because reducing sugars are digested. Fruits can be categorized as.
1- Tropical Fruits 2- Temperate Fruits
Tropical Fruits:
Tropical fruits are those, which could be cultivated under higher temperature in
most plain region of Pakistan.
Temperate Fruits:
Those fruits whish require low temperature for the growth of plant and for the
proper development of fruits. Such types of fruits are cultivated in hilly areas and Sub
mountain regions where temperature quality is low during most part of the year.
TROPICAL FRUITS
Citrus Fruit:
S. No. Binomial Common name Family
1 Citrus aurantifolia Lime Rutaceae
2 Citrus aurantium Bitter orange Rutaceae
3 Citrus limon Lemon Rutaceae
4 Citrus limittiodes Sweet lime Rutaceae
5 Citrus maxima Shaddock Rutaceae
6 Citrus medica Mamillate orange Rutaceae
7 Citrus paradise Grape fruit Rutaceae
8 Citrus reticulate Loose skin orange Rutaceae
9 Citrus sinensis Sweet orange Rutaceae
SPECIAL PAPER: ETHNOBOTANY (M. Sc. BOTANY) 2
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1 Mangifera indica Mango Anacardiaceae
2 Musa paradisiaca Banana Musaceae
3 Psidium guajava Guajava Myrtaceae
4 Syzigium jambulena Jambolon Myrtaceae
5 Punica granatum Pomegranate Punicaceae
6 Morus alba Mulberry Moraceae
7 Ficus carica Fig Moraceae
8 Phyllanthus emblica Emblica Euphorbiaceae
9 Zizyphus jajuba Jujube plum Rhamnaceae
10 Carica papaya Papaya Caricaceae
11 Litchi chinensis Litichi Sapindaceae
12 Phoenix dactylifera Date palm Aricaceae
13 Achras zapota Sapodilla Sapotaceae
14 Ananas comosus Ananas Bromeliaceae
15 Grewia asiatica Peach plam Tiliaceae
16 Diospyros kaki Perommon Ebenaceae
17 Cordia myxa Lasura Boraginaceae
18 C. rothi Lasuri Boraginaceae
TEMPERATE FRUITS
1 Eriobotrya japonica Loquat Rosaceae
2 Prunus armenica Apricat Rosaceae
3 Prunus domestica Plum Rosaceae
4 Prunus avium Cherry Rosaceae
5 Prunus persica Peach Rosaceae
6 Pyrus communis Pear Rosaceae
7 Fragaria vesca Straw berry Rosaceae
8 Malus pumila Apple Rosaceae
9 Vitis vindfera Grapes Vitaceae
10 Persea americana Avocado Lauraceae
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TROPICAL FRUITS
Citrus Fruit: Citrus fruits belong to family Rutacaae. Citrus plants are thorny,
aromatic shrubs or small trees. All cultivated species are diploid (2n = 18). Leaves are
unifoliate with a simple entire margin and thought that these leaves have been derived
by reduction from an ancestral pinnate leaf. Plants are aromatic. Superior ovary has 8-15
united carpals. Each carpel contains several ovules in exile placentation. In addition to
this the phenomenon of polyembryny is common in citrus. Other asexual embryos may
develop in the same ovules from diploid somatic cells of the nucellus called
adventitious embryony. Asexual embryos compete with sexual embryos for food and
space within seed and may eventually suppress it. Consequently, citrus species are not
propagated from seeds, but by grafting buds from desirable clones on to vigorous
rootstocks, commonly of different species usually lemon or sour orange.
All citrus trees are of the single genus Citrus, and remain largely interbreedable;
that is, there is only one "superspecies" which includes grapefruits, lemons, limes and
oranges. Nevertheless, names have been given to the various members of the citrus
family, oranges often being referred to as Citrus sinensis and Citrus aurantium.
Fruits of all members of the genus Citrus are considered berries because they
have many seeds, are fleshy and soft, and derive from a single ovary. Citrus plants are
cultivated in such place where there is sufficient amount of moisture. Fruit ripens
throughout the year.
1. Citrus aurantifolia (Lime)
Lime can be easily identified from the other fruits in having smooth skin or rind
which is tightly attached to the fleshy part of fruit. The lime juice is highly acidic owing
to the presence of citric acid.
1. It is good source of Vitamin C.
2. Lime is usually used as souring agent in various food articles.
3. Lime is used raw and pickeled
4. Lemonade is concentrated lime juice which is mixed with sugar and water and to
form a refreshing juice called lemon squash.
5. Oil distilled from the peel is used in confectionery Pharmaceuticals and toilet
preparation.
6. Lime juice is used in beverages and medicinally to prevent scurry. In order to prevent
scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus
such as lime (presumably Citrus aurantifolia). It was later discovered that this
beneficial effect derived from the quantities of Vitamin C the fruit contains.
7. Lime extracts and essential oils are frequently used in perfumes, cleaning products.
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2. Citrus sinensis (Orange or Sweet orange)

Syn.: Citrus aurantium L. var. dulcis L.
Sweet orange is mostly commonly grown species in Pakistan. It requires high
temperature hence it is mainly cultivated in Punjab. There are many varieties of sweet
orange. Common varieties are limo mosami, red blood, malta, scurvy and easily fruiter.
Kino and early fruiter are hybrid varieties. All varieties of oranges are obtained by
grafting and budding on the cuttings of bitter oranges.
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Sweet orange is also main source of squash which is commercially produced as

well as fresh orange juices. Mosami is most sweet variety because they have high
concentration of sugar in the form of fructose, glucose, maltose, while Kino has more
citric acid and less sugar so it is slightly sour in taste. Rind of orange is also source of
citrus oil, which is obtained commercially and is used in various perfumes.
The white part of the rind, called the pericarp or albedo and including the pith, is
a source of pectin and has nearly the same amount of vitamin C as the flesh.
3. Citrus limon (Lemon)
The lemon (Citrus limon) is a small evergreen tree native to Asia and the fruit is
used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for
its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used in cooking and baking. The juice of the
lemon is about 5% to 6% citric acid, which gives lemons a sour taste. The distinctive
sour taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods
It is rough skin lemon and is used as souring agent and pickled. Lemon juice is
commercially prepared in lemon squash which is refreshing drink in summer season.
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4. Citrus limettioides (Sweet Lime)

Sweet lime is mostly cultivated in Punjab province because it requires high
temperature of its proper development and maturation. Like lemon and lime it has also
tight skin with flesh of fruit and cannot be peeled. Sweet lime has little citric acid and
good quality fructose and glucose. It is mostly used as fresh fruit and is refrigerant in
values. Therefore it is very useful especially for patient suffering from fever.
5. Citrus maxima (Shaddock)

It is cultivated on small scale in Pakistan. It is biggest fruit in citrus species. Rind
is very thick and could be peeled off from the flesh. It is also used as fresh fruit when
fully mature. Like grapefruit it is rich source of Vitamin C.
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6. Citrus paradisi
Grape fruit has highest concentration of Vitamin C in flesh and used for
supplementary Vitamin C deficiency. It is quite sour when fully mature and is used
breakfast fruit in most of advanced countries of the world. In Pakistan cultivation is also
increasing and mostly consumed in big cities of Pakistan. It is not pickled and is only
used in fresh form.
Grapefruit is an excellent source of many nutrients and phytochemicals, for a

healthy diet. Grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C, pectin fiber, and the pink and red
hues contain the beneficial antioxidant lycopene. Studies have shown grapefruit helps
lower cholesterol and there is evidence that the seeds have high levels of antioxidant
properties.
7. Citrus medica
Mamillate orange is cultivated on small scale in some part of Pakistan especially
in Sialkot Distt. Fruit is easily distinguished from other fruit having it oblong shape and
mamillate outgrowth.
Rind is quite thick and juice is highly acidic. Mamillate or orange is mostly used
in pickles and it has medicinal values as well. In Eastern medicine the pickled of this
orange is recommended for spleen and liver disorder.
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8. Citrus reticulata
Loose skin orange is also cultivated Pakistan. When fully mature, the skin be
come separated from the flesh and could be easily removed. Similarly various clovers
can also be separated easily. This orange is mostly used as fresh fruit and because it is
not produce on large scale so its commercial juice is not available in Pakistan.
9. Citrus aurantium (Sour Orange)

The young fruit have strongly acidic juice and used as a souring agent but in
mature fruit the juice almost become bitter, hence named bitter orange. Its flower is very
fragrant. Oil is obtained from petals, which is used in various hair oils. The cuttings of
bitter orange are used for grafting and budding of other superior species of citrus.
10. Mangifera indica (Mango)

Mangoes belong to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous species of
tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is
indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent especially India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and
Southeast Asia. Cultivated in many tropical regions and distributed widely in the world.
There are many varieties of mango cultivated in Pakistan. Seeded and grafted are two
main types of mangoes. Mangoes raised from seed, have less quality and known as
“Den”. Inflorescence is terminal panicle 10-50cm long with 3 or 4 orders of branching
and very variable number (1-6 thousand) of reddish pink or yellow or almost white
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flowers. Among then 1-35% are hermaphrodite while rest are male. In one inflorescence
both kinds of flowers are produced but ratio varies b/w cultivars. Flowers have 5
deciduous sepals 5 petals, fertile stamen and four staminodes and one ovary which arise
obliquely from disc.
The fruit is large ovoid asymmetrical drupe which varies greatly in size. It
matures 2-5 month after fertilization when it becomes fully mature. Its colour is green
yellow or red. Fleshy mesocarp is bright yellow. Endocarp of drupe is very hard and
fibrosis. It encloses a single, light brown seed which is with in popery envelope and
which may have a single zygotic embryo, or several apomictic embryos which develop
from tissues of the nucellus and which may or may not suppress the zygotic or embryo..
Fruit contains approx 85% water 10-20% sugar and small amount of protein. It is
also a good dietary source of Vitamin A and contains Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Sour
variety is used as pickled.
It is used for making squash. It is also used for preparing Jam’
Mango is one of the most extensively exploited fruits for food, juice, flavor, fragrance
and color, making it a common ingredient in new functional foods often called
superfruits. In Pakistan, Dosehri, Chownsa, Langra, Malda, Fajri, Sindhri, Anwar retol,
Alphonseae varieties are very popular.
Fig. The mango (Mangifera indica) is a drupe with an outer leathery skin (exocarp), a
fleshy mesocarp and a hard, stony endocarp surrounding the large seed.
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Mango fruits are often cut into a "hedgehog" style for eating (left). A cross section of a mango can be
seen on the right
Nicknamed "king of mangoes", the Alphonso grown mainly in Devgad, Sindhudurg & Ratnagiri
Districts of Maharashtra, India and favored there, is now popular in the United States.
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11. Zizyphus Jujuba

Plants require drought climate so it is only cultivated in Punjab and Sindh.
Propagation is by means of seeds and by bud grafting. Fruit is drupe having edible
epicarp and mesocorp. Mature fruit has very little sugar and has also mucilage. So it is
very useful fruit for diabetic patient and because of presence of mucilage it helps in
chronic constipation.
The dried, datelike drupes of a jujube called annab (Ziziphus jujuba) for sale in a Middle
Eastern market.
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12. Punica granatum

It is small size tree which is continuously pruned to get more fruits. It is mostly
cultivated in dry mountainous regions of Pakistan but some varieties of pomegranate are
also cultivated in Alipur Tehsil of District Muzaffargarh having many orchards. There
plants are propagated by cutting. Fruit is berry in which epicarp and mesocarp forming
hard rind and endocarp is divided into papery compartment enclosing seeds. Seeds have
fleshy integuments or seed coat. There are two varieties cultivated in Pakistan. White
seed variety which is sweet in taste while red seed variety which is almost sour seed of
pomegranate are commonly used as desert fruit and its juice is also a very refreshing
drink. Seeds of sour variety are dried to produce “Anardana” which is used as spice.
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13. Morus alba

It is monoecious plant cultivated throughout Pakistan. Its inflorescence is of
special type called catkin in which sessile unisexual flowers are fertilized and such type
of fruit is called composite fruit. Parianth is fleshy and juicy which is main edible part
of fruit. It is eaten as fresh fruit and is refrigerant. It contains no sucrose.
14. Psidium guajava

Guava is commonly cultivated in Pakistan and raised directly from seeds. Plants
are transferred to orchards when they are one year old. Plant is a shrub or small tree
with large white flowers. Yellow berry like fruit is about 4 inch long and has variously
colored flesh. Guava is very aromatic due to the presence of acetaldehyde in flesh. Fruit
is very sweet, juicy and highly flavoured. It is one of the richest sources of Vitamin A,
B and C. It is usually used for jellies and pastes. Powder from dehydrated fruits is used
to fortify other ethics and jams.
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15. Ficus carica

Fig is propagated directly from cuttings of suitable plant. Fruits are dark red or
purple in colour, very fleshy and sweet in taste. It is also rich in all essential minerals
and vitamins. Dry fig develops some sucrose as well. Fruit is a whole inflorescence and
of special type called hypanthodiam or syconium. Floral axis or receptacle which is
invaginated and forms a hollow structure with a narrow aperture at tip. Male and female
flowers develop inside of receptacle. Male flowers that represented by side stamen
points near the apex while female flowers are near the base which are represented by
single carpel.
Figs are used fresh, dried, preserved or canned. A considerable amount is used in
baking and ground up for fig coffee. Figs have definite laxative properties and are
importance in medicine.
16. Musa paradisiaca
Bananas are large, rhizomatous perennial herbs, cultivated throughout the tropics
for their parthenocarpic, seedless berries. Some cultivars produce relatively sweet fruits
called bananas which are eaten ripe while others produce starchier fruits called plantains
which are eaten unripe.
Bananas and plantain have short basal underground stems (corms) from which
short rhizomes grow to produce a clump of aerial shoots close to the base of parent
plant. Crops are propagated vegetatively, either by planting pieces of old corms with a
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bud, or using suckers which are lifted for planting with their underground stems. Aerial
shoots are cylindrical pseudostems of over lapping leaf bases which are tightly rolled
round each other to form rigid bundle. New leaves continuously grown from suckers are
about 8-10 months old and have produced 40-50 leaves, the apical growing point of
corm becomes reproductive and produces an inflorescence on a long unbranched axis.
It is compound spike of flowers which are arranged in several groups; each group is
enclosed in a large, reddish-coloured subtending bract and consists of two rows of
flowers. Young inflorescence is compact and conical. Bracts are oval and pointed and
shed when fruits start to develop. The bracts at the base of inflorescence have female
flowers, in middle few sterile flowers, while at the top of inflorescence all flowers are
male. Female flowers are, tricarpellary, syncarpous with inferior ovary surrounded by a
short parianth of five fused segments and one free segment forming a tube around style.
Male flowers are deciduous, have 5 stamens but do not produce pollen grains. Fruits
develop parthenocarpically from ovaries of female flowers. Numerous ovules on axile
placentas abort and remain visible as black dots. Fruits mature about 4 months after
flowering. Ripe fruit is elongated and curved. Bulk fruit consists of large cells filled
with starch which is partially converted to sugars during ripening.
Tanzanian farmers with 100 kg bunch of FHIA-17 bananas

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17. Phoenix dactylifera

Data palm is restricted to areas with a long hot and completely dry period which
is necessary for flowering, successful natural pollination and for fruit development. In
Pakistan, it is cultivated in southern Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan. There are two
Govt. farms of date palm in Muzaffar Garh & Jhang in which varieties that are imported
from Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia are cultivated. Common varieties that cultivated in
Pakistan are Halwi, Thoory, Makram, Badam, Shamran. Thoory is Iraqi variety have
long fruit and usually dried to form chhohara.
Plant is unbranched, up to 30 m tall. Plant is dioecious and is raised from seeds.
There are 50% chances to ensure female plant. Only vegetative propagation is possible
usually off shoots produced from the base of stem are removed and planted to produce
nursery. When these shoots become 3-years old they are transplanted to orchards that
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plant is either male or female. It takes 6-years before it is known that plant is either male
or female. Only female plant is economically important as it produce fruit. After
fertilization the branches of female inflorescence elongate as large, pendulous bunch of
fruits are formed. The desirable ratio of male & female is 1:20 because male plant
produces a lot of pollen grains and it could be easily pollinated surrounding 20 female
plants.
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Plant tends to produce offshoots from the base, and so is often found growing in
clumps. It has a crown of stiff, pinnate, ascending and descending leaves 10 to 20ft in
length. Male & female plants look much alike. Inflorescence is much branched axillary
panicle in male & female plants. Both inflorescences are protected by a sheath/bract
which splits longitudinally to release inflorescence. Yellow or creamed colour flowers
are unisexual & sessile. They have six parianth segments. Flower is tricarpellary,
apocarpous with superior ovary. Fruit is one seeded berry.
The narrow, cylindrical seeds are commonly around 2.5cm long with a papery
testa, and a longitudinal groove along one side, they have hard endosperm and small
circular mark at one end of seed which mark the position of embryo. Fresh fruit contains
less sugar than dry or semi dry type and contains other carbohydrates.
In Pakistan and other Middle Eastern countries fruits are collected at three
different stage.
DOKA:When fruit is mature but tough, red or yellow in colour. This stage sugar is very
little in concentration. A lot of tannin is present, therefore, fruit is quite dry to eat.
DANG: When part of fruit starts softening at the tip, the stage is called dang stage.
PIND: When fruit is fully mature and soft it is called pind. This stage fruits are usually
immersed in 10% solution KOH to kill all insects or fungi which may be present in
mature fruit. Fruits are washed with water & dried and hence could be stored for much
longer period and fermentation does not take place.
Dates are consumed in various ways. Together with milk forms an important
article. Houses are constructed from leaves & stem. Door posts and window frames are
made from trunk. Crates, mats, baskets, ropes and containers are made from leaves &
strong sclerenchyma fibers. Palm wine is prepared from the sap, which is trapped from
bases of inflorescences.
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18. Carica papaya

Papaya is dioecious plant, which is unbranched, bearing a crown of large leaves.
Fruits are produced on female plant and single plant produce up to 50 fruits.
Plants are raised directly from seed in nursery, after one year they are
transplanted in orchards. Papaya is very important as it contain proteolytic enzyme, Pain
is obtained from latex of young fruit. Cuts are given to fruits and after 12-hours latex is
collected. Pain is present in latex and usually breaks down after 2-3 days. If 10% salt is
added it will remain up to 6 months. Mature fruit has very little latex and usually used
as fresh fruit. It is quite digestive and very useful in chronic stomach trouble.
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Ananas comosus (Pineapple)

The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant and fruit (multiple), native to Uruguay,
Brazil and Paraguay. It is a medium tall (1–1.5 m) herbaceous perennial plant with 30 or more pointed
leaves 30–100 cm long, surrounding a thick stem. The pineapple is an example of a multiple fruit:
multiple, spirally-arranged flowers along the axis, each produce a fleshy fruit that becomes pressed
against the fruits of adjacent flowers, forming what appears to be a single fleshy fruit. It is one of the
most commercially important plants which carry out Crassulacean acid metabolism, or CAM
photosynthesis. Consumers of pineapple have claimed that pineapple has benefits for some intestinal
disorders; others claim that it helps to induce childbirth when a baby is overdue. Pineapple is a good
source of manganese, as well as containing significant amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin B1.
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Lychee (Litchi chinensis)

The lychee is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. It is a
tropical and subtropical fruit tree native to southern China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, and now
cultivated in many parts of the world. The fresh fruit has a "delicate, whitish pulp" with a floral smell
and a fragrant, sweet flavor. Since this perfume-like flavor is lost in the process of canning, the fruit is
usually eaten fresh.
An evergreen tree reaching 10–28 metres tall, the lychee bears fleshy fruits that are up to 5 cm
(2.0 in) long and 4 cm (1.6 in) wide. The outside of the fruit is covered by a pink-red, roughly
textured rind that is inedible but easily removed to expose a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh.
Lychees are eaten in many different dessert dishes, and are especially popular in China,
throughout Southeast Asia, along with South Asia and India.
The lychee is cultivated in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Bangladesh and
northern India, South Africa and the United States (Hawaii and Florida) also have commercial lychee
production.
The lychee has a history and cultivation going back as far as 2000 BC according to records
in China. Cultivation began in the area of southern China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Litchi
chinensis subsp. chinensis is the only commercialized lychee. It grows wild in southern
China, Bangladesh, northern Vietnam, and Cambodia. The lychee contains on average a total 72 mg
of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit. On average nine lychee fruits would meet an adult’s daily
recommended Vitamin C requirement.
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Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree in the family Fabaceae,
indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus Tamarindus is a monotypic taxon, having only
a single species.
The tamarind tree produces edible, pod-like fruit which are used extensively in
cuisines around the world. Other uses include traditional medicines and metal polishes.
The wood can be used in carpentry. Because of the tamarind's many uses, cultivation
has spread around the world in tropical and subtropical zones.
Tamarindus indica is indigenous to tropical Africa, particularly in Sudan, where it

continues to grow wild; it is also cultivated in Cameroon, Nigeria and Tanzania.
In Arabia, it is found growing wild, in Oman especially Dhofar, where it grows on the
sea-facing slopes of mountains. It reached South Asia likely through human
transportation and cultivation several thousand years prior to the Common Era. It is
widely distributed throughout the tropical belt, from Africa to South Asia,
Northern Australia, and throughout South East Asia, Taiwan and China. Today, South
Asia and Mexico remain the largest consumers and producers of tamarind.
The fruit is an indehiscent legume, sometimes called a pod, 12 to 15 cm (3 to

6 inches) in length, with a hard, brown shell. The fruit has a fleshy,
juicy, acidulous pulp. It is mature when the flesh is reddish-brown. The tamarinds of
Asia have longer pods containing six to 12 seeds, whereas African and West Indian
varieties have short pods containing one to six seeds. The seeds are somewhat flattened
and glossy brown. The tamarind is best described as sweet and sour in taste, and is high
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in acid, sugar, B vitamins and calcium. The fruit pulp is edible. The hard green pulp of a
young fruit is considered by many to be too sour, but is often used as a component of
savory dishes, as a pickling. The ripened fruit is considered the more palatable, as it
becomes sweeter and less sour (acidic) as it matures. It is used in desserts as a jam,
blended into juices or sweetened drinks, sorbets, ice creams.
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1. Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)
It is the one of most popular fruits throughout Pakistan. It is tropical as well as
temperate fruit because it is cultivated in warmer regions of Pakistan. In warmer
regions, fruit is sour and yellow in colour due to more citric and malic acid than sugar.
While in colder regions it is reddish yellow in colour, large in size and sweet in taste.
Fruit is used as dessert fruit. Propagation is by seeds. Grafting is also practice, in order
to improve fruit quality.
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Pome fruits:
Pome fruits are simple accessory fruits in which the ovary is surrounded by a
fleshy outer portion derived some other parts of flower. Some consider it is a fleshy
calyx, but various studies indicate that it is an enlarged receptacle. In either case the
ripened ovary forms the core only. In most of pomaceous fruits fleshy receptacle
entirely surround the carpels. Apple, pear, straw berry are examples of it.
All rosaceous fruits are highly nutritious because of the presence of essential
minerals, vitamins and sugars. Sugars are in the form of glucose, fructose and galactose.
In young condition, they have usually sour taste due to the presence of malic acid, ethric
acid and tartaric acid. All these acids decrease during maturity/ripening of fruit and
concentration of sugars are increased. Fruit & seeds are aromatic due to presence of
essential oils containing acetaldehyde, cineol etc.
Malus domestica (Apple)
Malus pumila or Pyrus malus (Synonyms)
Apple occupies the first place among fruits of temperate regions in importance
and extent of cultivation. There are more than 6000 horticultural forms cultivated
throughout the world. In Pakistan, only “Golden delicious”, Golden Yellow and Kala
Kulu are best available varieties.
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Apples can be growing from seeds, but they are usually propagated by grafting or
budding. Apple is consumed in various ways. Young apples are eaten raw and cooked.
A considerable amount of apple is canned. Mature fruits are used as dessert fruit. Juice
extracted from fruit is used fresh. Apples are also used for making jams. Apples are rich
in pectin and are useful in diarrhea. Apple jam is used as stimulant for heart to relieve
physical heaviness & mental strain.
Pyrus communis (Pear)
This is a small tree with white flowers. Fruit is physiform and possesses a
persistent calyx. The fruit is sweeter and juicier than the apple. Flesh of fruit contains
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numerous stone cells. Pears are propagated from seed & grafting. In Pakistan, two
varieties of pear are commonly found. In var. Bagu-gosha, fruit is soft on ripening and
have less brachysclereids (Stone cells). In pysiform, fruit is rounded in shape, has tough
skin and many brachysclereids and less soft than Bagu-gosha.
Pear is also grown in some regions of Punjab but best varieties are produced in
northern hilly regions of Pakistan as development of fruit requires low temperature and
lot of rain. Fruits are consumed as dessert fruit. Fruits are rich in sugars, vitamins and
minerals.
Fig. A. and B. Yellow and red 'Bartlett' pears (Pyrus communis); C. Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia).
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Varieties of the common pear (Pyrus communis): A. 'Red Bartlett,' B. 'Comice,' C.

'Seckel,' D. 'Bartlett,' and E. 'Bosc.'
Stone Fruits: Stone fruits or drupes are fleshy fruits with a single seed enclosed in the
hard inner portion of the ripened ovary wall. Ovary wall consists of outer epicarp,
middle fleshy edible mesocarp and stony endocarp, which contains the seed. Most of
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drupaceous fruits belong to genus Prunus. They are trees and shrubs, which often exude
a natural gum. The leaves, bark and seeds contain a glucoside, amygdalin, which is
readily converted to prussic acid and may cause poisoning. The stone fruits and pome
fruits are often classed for horticultural purposes orchard fruit.
Prunus armeniaca (apricot)
Pakistan is famous for producing best varieties of apricot in the world.
Fruit is of yellowish skin and purple tinge. Fruit is very soft when mature and must be
consumed with in 2-3 days after ripening due to having soft epicarp. Bacteria and insect
can easily infect when it become over mature. In Pakistan fruit of apricot is dried and
are commonly available in market throughout the year. Apricot is used as dessert fruit.
Apricot jam is also popular in Pakistan product.
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) has fleshy drupe containing a hard, stony endocarp.
The endocarp contains a single seed that is toxic because of high levels of cyanogenetic
glucosides.
FRUITS
Prunus avium (Cherry)

Cherry is cultivated on small scale in Balochistan & Swat regions. Plants are
propagated by seeds. Fruit is available only in big cities because it production is on
small scale. Cheery could be easily identified they are produced on large long stalk and
fruits are pendulous. Yellow and purple skin varieties are usually grown. In Pakistan
cherry in consumed as dessert fruit.
FRUITS
Prunus domestica (Plum)

Plum is popular fruit in Pakistan. Compressa, a variety in which fruit is
almost flattened and “interstia” a variety in which fruit is almost rounded, are cultivated.
Fruit is drupe and could easily be identified from its stone which is strongly pitted on
the outside. Plums are propagated from seeds and grafting. Var. compressa could be
grown in plain regions of Pakistan but other variety only grown in hilly areas as it
require low temp. Plums are eaten as dessert fruit but it is also used to produce jam.
Prunus persica (Peach)

Peaches are cultivated in Baluchistan and NWFP provinces plants raised
from seeds. Fruits are of very soft skin and easily get infected with inset & bacteria.
Fruits have aroma due the presence of cinnamaldehyde. Fruits are softly hairy having
Pinkish flesh. They are used as dessert fruit. Also used in ice-cream pre-paration.
FRUITS
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus)

Raspberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all
temperate regions of the world. Many of the most important modern commercial red
raspberry cultivars derive from hybrids between R. idaeus and R. strigosus. Raspberries
are a rich source of vitamin C, manganese (about 60% daily value) and dietary fiber.
Contents of B vitamins , folic acid, magnesium, copper and iron are considerable in
raspberries.
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

Strawberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all temperate regions of
the world. In addition to being consumed fresh, strawberries are frozen or made into preserves.
FRUITS
Strawberries are a popular addition to dairy products, as in strawberry flavored ice cream, milkshakes
and yogurts. Strawberry pie is also popular. Strawberries can also be used as a natural acid/base
indicator. They are also supposedly used for whitening teeth.
Vitis vinifera Grape

About 8000 varieties of grape are found in the world. A few varieties are cultivated in
Pakistan. Grapes are suitable for cultivation in plain regions of Punjab. Fruit
development occurs in July and requires dry climate while in Punjab during July is rainy
season. Grapes are easily get infected by bacteria & fungi under moist conditions. That
is why grapes are cultivated in Baluchistan & NWFP.
Var sundarkhari & Chamni, qandhari are popular in Pakistan. Grapes are
very nutritious fruit, rich in sugar, especially fructose, glucose and some %age of
FRUITS
sucrose. Fructose is 70% of total sugar. Grapes are consumed as dessert fruit. Juice is
also extracted from grapes. Dry grapes are known as “Kishmish”.

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SPECIAL PAPER: ETHNOBOTANY (M. Sc.

S. No. Binomial Common name Family

2. Citrus sinensis (Orange or Sweet orange)

Sweet orange is also main source of squash which is commercially produced as

4. Citrus limettioides (Sweet Lime)

5. Citrus maxima (Shaddock)

Grapefruit is an excellent source of many nutrients and phytochemicals, for a

9. Citrus aurantium (Sour Orange)

10. Mangifera indica (Mango)

11. Zizyphus Jujuba

12. Punica granatum

13. Morus alba

14. Psidium guajava

15. Ficus carica

Tanzanian farmers with 100 kg bunch of FHIA-17 bananas

17. Phoenix dactylifera

18. Carica papaya

Ananas comosus (Pineapple)

Lychee (Litchi chinensis)

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

Tamarindus indica is indigenous to tropical Africa, particularly in Sudan, where it

The fruit is an indehiscent legume, sometimes called a pod, 12 to 15 cm (3 to

Varieties of the common pear (Pyrus communis): A. 'Red Bartlett,' B. 'Comice,' C.

Prunus avium (Cherry)

Prunus domestica (Plum)

Prunus persica (Peach)

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus)

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

Vitis vinifera Grape

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