pericarp

The wall of a fruit, derived from the maturing ovary wall. In fleshy fruits the pericarp usually has three distinct layers, the outer toughened epicarp , a fleshy *mesocarp , and an inner *endocarp , which may be variously thickened or membranous. In dry fruits the pericarp tends to become papery or leathery. If the pericarp opens at maturity the fruit is described as dehiscent but if it remains closed the fruit is termed indehiscent.