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Peppercorn, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Peppercorn is the dried fruit from the black pepper (Piper nigram) plant. The wrinkled surface is a result of the drying process after harvesting, which causes the fruit layer to shrink. Peppercorns are used as a culinary spice whole or crushed. Magnification: x18 when printed 10 centimetres wide. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CHERYL POWER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)