Glossary Details – Lecythidaceae

Glossary Details:

Cashew apples for sale. Photo by S. A. Mori.

Title: Cashew apple. Photo by S. A. Mori.

Description: Cashew apple, also known as the hypocarp, of Anacardium occidentale. Photo taken in Amapá, Brazil. The cashew apple is the source of a commonly consumed fruit drink. Note, however, that the cashew apple is not a fruit but is derived from the pedicel of the flower. The fruit is the cashew of commerce. Note that the fruit is reniform in shape.

Term:

Hypocarp

Definition:

The swollen pedicel that subtends the fruit of Anacardium (Anacardiaceae). Also called the cashew apple.