(from *fructus*, fruit), comprehends the precise time in which, after the fall of the flowers, the fruits arrive at maturity, and disperse their seeds.

**FRUCTIFEROUS** signifies properly any thing that produces fruit.

**FRUCTIFICATION** of **PLANTS** is defined by Linnaeus to be the temporary part of a vegetable appropriated to generation, terminating the old vegetable and beginning the new. It consists of the following seven parts, viz. the calyx, corolla, stamen, pistillum, pericarpium, semen or seed, and receptaculum. See **BOTANY**.