Pome facts for kids

A pome is a special type of fruit that grows on certain plants, like apples and pears. These fruits are known for having a fleshy outer part that we eat, which surrounds a core containing seeds. Pomes are found on plants belonging to a group called Malinae, which is part of the larger Rosaceae family – also known as the rose family.

Apples are a common example of a pome fruit.

The Medlar is another example of a pome fruit.

What is a Pome Fruit?

A pome fruit is different from other fruits because of how it develops. The part we eat, the fleshy pulp, mostly comes from the plant's flower parts that are not usually part of the fruit itself. This makes it a "false fruit" or "accessory fruit." The actual fruit, which holds the seeds, is inside this fleshy part.

Parts of a Pome

Pomes have several key parts:

• Skin: The outer layer that protects the fruit.
• Flesh: The juicy, edible part that makes up most of the fruit. This is what we usually eat.
• Core: The central part of the fruit, which is often tougher and contains the seeds.
• Seeds: Located inside the core, these can grow into new plants.

Examples of Pome Fruits

Many fruits we enjoy every day are pomes.

• Apples: One of the most popular pome fruits, known for their crisp texture and sweet or tart taste.
• Pears: Another common pome, often softer than apples and with a distinct shape.
• Quinces: These fruits look a bit like lumpy pears and are often used in jams and jellies.
• Medlars: A less common pome, traditionally eaten when very ripe and soft.

Pomes of the common medlar plant, Mespilus germanica.

How Pomes Grow

Pome fruits develop from the flowers of certain plants. After the flower is pollinated, the base of the flower, called the hypanthium, starts to swell and grow around the plant's ovary. This swelling part becomes the fleshy fruit we eat. The actual ovary of the flower develops into the core, which holds the seeds.

Plants That Produce Pomes

Pomes are produced by plants in the subtribe Malinae. This group includes many well-known trees and shrubs. They are all part of the Rosaceae family, which also includes roses, strawberries, and cherries, though these other fruits are not pomes.

See also

• Fruit
• Apple
• Pear