1. the outermost layers of a fruit wall or pericarp
Usage: botanical

Examples

• The epicarps of citrus fruits form the colorful, oil-rich outer peel.
• Botanists study how epicarps develop different textures and colors.
• The waxy epicarps of apples help protect the fruit from moisture loss.
• In stone fruits, the epicarps form the smooth outer skin.
• The epicarps of berries often contain pigments that attract animals.
• Researchers examined the cellular structure of various epicarps under microscopes.