Term Name:	fruit ripening
Synonyms:	fruit maturation, fruit senescence
Definition:	An developmental maturation process that has as participant a fruit. Ripening causes changes in one or more characteristics of a fruit (color, aroma, flavor, texture, hardness, cell wall structure) and may make it more attractive to animals and aid in seed dispersal.
Ontology:	GO: Biological Process [GO:0009835]    QuickGO    AmiGO