In botany, a fruit is classified as a berry if it grows from a single ovary and has a fleshy pericarp, typically with many seeds and without a stone or pit. Examples of true berries include grapes, tomatoes, and bananas. However, fruits like strawberries and raspberries, despite being commonly referred to as berries, do not meet the botanical definition of a berry because they are derived from a flower with multiple ovaries or are aggregate fruits. Therefore, the botanical definition of a berry differs from the common English usage of the term
. The botanical definition of a berry is based on specific characteristics such as the fruit growing from a single ovary, the presence of seeds and pulp, and the nature of the fruit's layers. This definition distinguishes true berries from other types of fruits, such as drupes and aggregate fruits
. In summary, the classification of a fruit as a berry in botany is based on its botanical characteristics, such as its origin from a single ovary, fleshy nature, and the absence of a stone or pit, rather than its common English usage or culinary classification.
