cereal grains (from the Poaceae) actually are both a seed and a fruit. In most grasses the ovary wall (fruit) and the seed are fused together into a structure c

cereal grains (from the Poaceae) actually are both a seed and a fruit. In most grasses the ovary wall (fruit) and the seed are fused together into a structure called a caryopsis. Sometimes the ovary wall is milled off before consumption (often with wheat), sometimes not (corn, oats). Grain is not a well defined term, at least botanically. Soybeans, corn and wheat are all considered grains by some (for example, some departments of the US government).