Seeds vs. Pits: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 24, 2024
Seeds are the reproductive part of a plant, often small and enclosed within a fruit; pits are the hard, protective coverings around the seeds of certain fruits.
Key Differences
Seeds are embryonic plants enclosed in a protective outer covering, often found in various sizes and shapes depending on the plant species. Pits, conversely, refer specifically to the hard, protective coverings found around the seeds of certain fruits, like peaches and cherries, and are not found in all fruit types.
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Feb 24, 2024
Seeds play a crucial role in the reproduction of the parent plant, containing the necessary material to grow a new plant. Pits serve to protect the seed within certain fruits from damage and digestion, ensuring the seed's survival and potential for germination.
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Feb 24, 2024
The diversity among seeds is vast, ranging from tiny poppy seeds to large coconut seeds. Pits, however, are generally uniform in their function and structure, mainly found in stone fruits and characterized by their hard, often woody, composition.
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Feb 24, 2024
In culinary contexts, seeds are used in a variety of dishes for their flavor, texture, and nutritional value, like sesame seeds on buns or sunflower seeds in salads. Pits are typically not consumed due to their hardness and are removed from the fruit before eating or processing.
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Feb 24, 2024
Seeds are fundamental in agriculture and gardening, used for growing crops, flowers, and other plants. Pits, while also capable of germination under the right conditions, are less commonly used directly in planting due to their hard nature and the need for specific conditions to successfully grow the plant inside.
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Feb 24, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Embryonic plants with a protective cover
Hard coverings around seeds in some fruits
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Variability
Diverse in size and shape
Generally uniform and specific to stone fruits
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Culinary Use
Often used for flavor and nutrition
Typically not eaten, removed before use
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Gardening and Agriculture
Widely used for planting
Less commonly used for direct planting
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Feb 24, 2024
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Seeds and Pits Definitions
Seeds
A plant's unit of reproduction, capable of developing into another plant.
I planted tomato seeds in my garden to grow fresh tomatoes.
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Jan 20, 2024
Pits
The hard, protective covering around the seed of some fruits.
I removed the pit from the avocado before making guacamole.
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Jan 20, 2024
Seeds
The source of a new plant, often used in agriculture and gardening.
Farmers sowed seeds in the fields at the start of the growing season.
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Jan 20, 2024
Pits
The core part of certain fruits, usually not consumed.
When eating olives, be careful to avoid biting into the pit.
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Jan 20, 2024
Seeds
A propagative part of a plant, including the embryo and nutrients.
The seed packet included instructions for optimal planting conditions.
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Seeds
A larval shellfish or a hatchling fish
Released scallop seed in the bay.
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Pits
A small indented scar left in the skin by smallpox or other eruptive disease; a pockmark.
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Pits
(Zoology) Either of a pair of depressions between the nostril and the eye of a pit viper that contain heat-sensing organs.
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Seeds
(Medicine) A form of a radioactive isotope that is used to localize and concentrate the amount of radiation administered to a body site, such as a tumor.
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Pits
(Botany) A cavity in the wall of a plant cell where there is no secondary wall, as in fibers, tracheids, and vessel elements.
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Pits
An enclosed, usually sunken area in which animals, such as dogs or gamecocks, are placed for fighting.
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Pits
The section directly in front of and below the stage of a theater, in which the musicians sit.
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Seeds
A cell that disperses, especially a cancer cell that spreads from a primary tumor to another location in the body.
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Pits
The section of an exchange where trading in a specific commodity is carried on.
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Pits
A sunken area in a garage floor from which mechanics may work on cars.
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Seeds
(Sports) A player who has been seeded for a tournament, often at a given rank
A top seed.
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Pits
Often pits(Sports) An area beside an auto racecourse where cars may be refueled or serviced during a race
Pulled into the pits to have the tires rotated.
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Pits
Pits(Slang) The worst. Used with the
"New York politics are the pits" (Washington Star).
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Seeds
To furnish with something that grows or stimulates growth or development
A bioreactor seeded with bacteria.
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Seeds
To disperse to, as cancer cells
Organs seeded by circulating tumor cells.
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Pits
The single central kernel or stone of certain fruits, such as a peach or cherry.
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Seeds
To disperse or transfer (cancer cells, for example)
A needle biopsy that seeded cancer cells into adjacent tissue.
Seed stem cells onto collagen gels.
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Pits
To mark with cavities, depressions, or scars
A surface pitted with craters.
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Seeds
(Meteorology) To sprinkle (a cloud) with particles, as of silver iodide, in order to disperse it or to produce precipitation.
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Pits
To set in direct opposition or competition
A war that pitted brother against brother.
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Seeds
To arrange (the drawing for positions in a tournament) so that the more skilled contestants meet in the later rounds.
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Pits
The worst possible situation, person, or thing; something extremely bad, boring, or depressing; - always used with the; as, cleaning the house is the pits.
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Seeds
Intended to help in early stages
Provided seed capital for a fledgling business.
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Pits
The large, central seed of certain fruits, such as peaches and cherries.
Cherry pits can be a choking hazard and should be removed before serving.
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Jan 20, 2024
Pits
A term used for the stone in stone fruits, encasing the seed.
The plum pit was difficult to remove due to its size and hardness.
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Jan 20, 2024
Pits
A term specifically for the encasement of seeds in drupes.
Apricot pits can be cracked open to reveal the edible seed inside.
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Jan 20, 2024
Seeds
The small, embryonic plant enclosed in a seed coat.
Each sunflower seed contains the beginnings of a new sunflower plant.
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Jan 20, 2024
Seeds
A small, edible part of a plant, often used in cooking for flavor.
She sprinkled sesame seeds on top of the bread for extra crunch.
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Jan 20, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What are seeds?
Seeds are the reproductive units of plants, capable of growing into new plants.
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Feb 24, 2024
Can seeds be used for cooking?
Yes, many seeds are used in cooking for their flavor, texture, and nutrients.
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Feb 24, 2024
Can all seeds be eaten?
While many seeds are edible, some can be toxic or inedible.
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Are pits edible?
Generally, pits are not edible and are removed from the fruit before consumption.
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Feb 24, 2024
Do seeds vary in size?
Yes, seeds vary greatly in size, from tiny like poppy seeds to large like coconuts.
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What is the role of pits in fruit?
Pits protect the seed within the fruit, aiding in the seed's survival and potential growth.
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Feb 24, 2024
What fruits commonly have pits?
Fruits like peaches, cherries, plums, and avocados commonly have pits.
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Feb 24, 2024
What are pits?
Pits are the hard coverings that protect the seeds of certain fruits.
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Feb 24, 2024
How do seeds contribute to a plant's life cycle?
Seeds carry the genetic material and nutrients necessary for a new plant to grow.
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Feb 24, 2024
Do seeds need specific conditions to grow?
Yes, seeds generally require suitable soil, water, and sunlight to germinate.
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Feb 24, 2024
Are pits used in cooking?
Pits are typically not used in cooking and are discarded or composted.
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Feb 24, 2024
Are all pits the same size?
Pits vary in size depending on the fruit, but are usually larger and harder than seeds.
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Feb 24, 2024
Can pits be planted to grow new plants?
Pits from stone fruits can be planted to grow new trees, but they require specific conditions.
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Feb 24, 2024
Are seeds important in agriculture?
Seeds are essential in agriculture for growing crops, vegetables, and fruits.
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Feb 24, 2024
Can the seeds from pits be eaten?
Some seeds from pits, like those in apricots, can be eaten, but it varies by fruit.
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Feb 24, 2024
Do pits have any uses outside of the fruit?
Apart from potential planting, pits are usually not used for other purposes.
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Feb 24, 2024
Are pits considered waste material?
In culinary contexts, pits are often discarded as waste but can be composted.
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Feb 24, 2024
Do all plants produce seeds?
Most plants reproduce through seeds, but some, like ferns, reproduce through spores.
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Are seeds found in all fruits?
Most fruits contain seeds, but some, like seedless grapes, are cultivated to lack them.
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Feb 24, 2024
Can seeds be used in crafts or decoration?
Yes, seeds are often used in crafts, jewelry, and decoration.
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Feb 24, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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