What is the mature ovary of a flowering plant that encloses its seeds called?

The mature ovary of a flowering plant that encloses its seeds is referred to as a fruit. In botanical terms, fruit is the structure that develops from the ovary after fertilization and serves as a means of protecting the developing seeds. Besides providing a protective environment for seeds, fruits also play a crucial role in their dispersal, often attracting animals that eat the fruit and subsequently help in spreading the seeds.

While seeds are the fertilized ovules contained within the fruit, they are not the same as the fruit itself. Nuts and pods are specific types of fruits; however, not all fruits are classified under these categories. Nuts refer specifically to a hard-shelled fruit that does not split open to release seeds, while pods are typically associated with legumes and are also a type of dry fruit that splits open at maturity. Thus, the term 'fruit' is the most encompassing answer, accurately describing the mature ovary structure that serves a vital function in the reproductive cycle of flowering plants.