An aril [ar-il] is any specialized outgrowth from the funiculus (attachment point of the seed) or that covers or is attached to the seed. It is sometimes applied to any appendage or thickening of the seed coat in flowering plants, such as the edible parts of the mangosteen and pomegranate fruit, the mace of the nutmeg seed, or the hairs of a cotton plant. The aril may create a fruit-like structure (called a false-fruit). The edible flesh of the longan, lychee, ackee and lleuque fruits are highly developed arils surrounding the seed.
The Daily Omnivore 
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