Coconut fruit is a

Options

A. Drupe
B. Berry
C. Nut
D. Capsule

Answer

To determine the classification of the coconut fruit, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Type of Fruit**:
- The coconut fruit is classified as a drupe. Drupes are fruits that have a hard stony covering enclosing the seed.

2. **Examine the Structure of the Coconut**:
- The coconut fruit has three distinct layers:
- **Epicarp**: The outermost layer, which is thin and membranous.
- **Mesocarp**: The middle layer, which is fibrous. This fibrous layer is what we commonly refer to as coir.
- **Endocarp**: The innermost layer, which is hard and stony. This layer surrounds the seed.

3. **Identify the Characteristics of Each Layer**:
- The **epicarp** is membranous.
- The **mesocarp** is fibrous, which is significant for the production of coir.
- The **endocarp** is stony and contains three dark spots, which are the remnants of the style.

4. **Analyze the Seed Structure**:
- Inside the endocarp, there is a single seed that has a brown seed coat (testa).
- The seed contains an oily endosperm and a small embryo, along with a watery fluid known as coconut milk.

5. **Conclude the Classification**:
- Based on the structure and characteristics outlined, the coconut is classified as a drupe, specifically a fibrous drupe due to its fibrous mesocarp.

### Final Answer:
The coconut fruit is a **drupe**.

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