A characteristic of drupe is

Options

A. stony mesocarp
B. stony endocarp
C. fleshy seed coat
D. stony pericarp

Answer

To determine a characteristic of a drupe, let's analyze the options provided and the definition of a drupe.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand what a drupe is**: A drupe is a type of fruit that develops from a single ovary and typically has three layers: the exocarp (outer skin), mesocarp (fleshy middle), and endocarp (hard inner layer that surrounds the seed).

2. **Identify the layers of a drupe**:
- **Exocarp**: This is the outer layer, which is usually thin and may be edible.
- **Mesocarp**: This is the fleshy part of the drupe, which is often sweet and edible.
- **Endocarp**: This is the innermost layer that can be hard or stony, protecting the seed.

3. **Analyze the options**:
- **Stony mesocarp**: This is incorrect because the mesocarp of a drupe is typically fleshy, not stony.
- **Stony endocarp**: This is correct. The endocarp is often hard or stony in drupes, which is a defining characteristic.
- **Fleshy seed coat**: This is incorrect. The seed coat is not fleshy in drupes.
- **Stony pericarp**: This is also incorrect. The pericarp includes the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp, and while the endocarp may be stony, the entire pericarp is not.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **stony endocarp**, as it is a defining characteristic of drupes.

### Final Answer:
The characteristic of a drupe is **stony endocarp**.