The ovary and adjacent tissues become the fruit. Following pollination and fertilization, the fruit begins to ripen as the seeds within develop. The outer tissues of the seeds typically form a firm outer seed coat to protect the seed content from drying out, mechanical injury, or attacks by fungi, bacteria, and insects until it is split at germination. Seed coat structures vary widely from thin and permeable to thick and bony. Some bear hairs, wings, or appendages to affect seed dispersal.
Edible fruits reward and encourage animal dispersal.
The amount of time from flower to seed set varies with different species. If a full range of species is desired, collection trips should begin in late Spring and continue until Fall. Fruits should be collected when they are ripe and before their seeds have been dispersed. Most fruits will easily dislodge from the plant when they are ripe or close to ripe. In general, physical changes occurring in the fruit signal maturity.