A six-image montage showing the development of a typical
drupe, the
nectarine (
Prunus persica) over a 7½ month period:
- Bud formation (early winter)
- Leaves start to develop (early spring)
- Flowers are pollinated (early spring)
- After successful pollination, incipient fruit forms (mid-spring)
- Fruit is well developed and continues to grow (late spring)
- Fruit fully ripens (midsummer)
Photo credit: John O'Neill