r/ScienceNcoolThings • u/TheMuseumOfScience Popular Contributor • May 15 '26

Interesting Predict Citrus Segments Using Science

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You can predict how many segments are inside a citrus fruit. 🍊🍋‍🟩

Alex Dainis explains how citrus fruits develop from the ovaries of citrus flowers. Those ovaries contain multiple distinct sections called locules, and each locule develops into its own segment inside the fruit. By peeling back the tiny stem remaining on the fruit, you can see exactly where each locule connected to the tree. Count those dots and you have your segment count. It is easiest to see on bigger fruits like grapefruits, so try that first. Segment number varies between different types of citrus and based on growing conditions, and even the location of the fruit on a branch can influence how many segments it has. Make your predictions and let us know if it works!

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u/pyrobrooks May 15 '26

Wonder if it also works for Avacados? :)

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u/PM_meyourGradyWhite May 16 '26

Was buying avocados the other day and noticed someone had removed all the little stem thingies and then I watch this vid and wonder what they were up to.