Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

Word Quiz of the Week

by Mary Free, Extension Master Gardener

glossary logo

What type of fruit is an apple?

An apple is an accessory fruit, with fleshy receptacle tissue (hypanthium) surrounding a tough core (inferior ovary) containing the seeds, called a _ _ _ _. Unlike their common names suggest, serviceberries and chokeberries also are this type of fruit. Click here to learn more.

Cross section of a Gala apple
Cross section of an apple.
Image © Mary Free
Unripe pome of native Malus coronaria
Native Malus coronaria (sweet crabapple). Photo © Elaine Mills
Ripening pomes of Amelanchier arborea (downy serviceberry) in May.
Native Amelanchier arborea (downy serviceberry). Photo © Mary Free
Pomes of native Aronia melanocarpa
Native Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry), Photo © Elaine Mills