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My grandaughter (aged 3) wants to know why some sweet peppers have what looks like a baby pepper growing inside them.

She told her daddy that grandma would know.

But I don't.

Help me out please!

I believe its when one of the seeds has started to grow inside the "parent" pepper.  I find them "cute"!!!

I may well be wrong though!

If so, they'd have roots. I don't remember any with such things.

I know what you mean, but I don't know why!

I am not certain but I believe it is a result of a mal-formed flower e.g. a double flower where one part is pollinated the other part isn't.

The pollinted part turns into the pepper as we know it and envelopes for want of a better description....its twin.

The twin may or may not grow within the dominant twin............a bit like siamese twins I guess.

As I say I am not certain but I think it is along these lines!

Thanks for the replies.  :)

Tee Gee, I understand what you mean and will forward your answer to my son so he can attempt to explain it to a three-year-old!

What an awesome question for a three year old to ask! she sounds like she's going to be very clever when she grows up!

It's the plant equivalent of Fetus in Fetu, show her some pictures of that and she'll stop asking you questions..... :D

As others have surmised it's caused by a partial double flower (with or without complete fertilisation) normally, the same situation that gives rise to "king" fruit in tomatoes, especially beefsteak ones and things like the "Hens and Chicks" poppies and Kirschklumpen fused multiple cherry tomatoes....

chrisc

Fetus in fetu sounds thoroughly unpleasant; its lucky it's not as common as pepper in pepu!

Quote from: chriscross1966 on January 13, 2010, 13:55:18
It's the plant equivalent of Fetus in Fetu, show her some pictures of that and she'll stop asking you questions..... :D
chrisc

OMG, I've just googled that and looked at the photos. 
Eva started nursery on Monday this week.  Can you just imagine the teacher's reaction if she started talking about Fetus in Fetu?  :o   :o   :o

Quote from: FennelandFern on January 13, 2010, 11:01:45
What an awesome question for a three year old to ask! she sounds like she's going to be very clever when she grows up!

My son is a very patient stay-at-home-dad and he loves looking after her.  She helps him with the cooking every day which is why she noticed the baby peppers.

Her vocabulary is amazing.  The other day she told him that she didn't want there to be any confrontation between people. She knew what it meant too!