Strawberry
A strawberry is the edible fruit of plants in the genus *Fragaria* in the rose family (Rosaceae).
A strawberry is the edible fruit of plants in the genus *Fragaria*, part of the rose family. The most widely grown commercial variety is the garden strawberry, *Fragaria* × *ananassa*, a hybrid cultivated worldwide for its bright red, sweet fruit.
What it is
Botanically, a strawberry is not a true berry but an aggregate accessory fruit. The visible specks on its surface are achenes, each containing a single seed. The genus *Fragaria* includes over 20 species, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Key details
Commercial strawberries are typically cultivars of the hybrid *Fragaria* × *ananassa*, bred for size, flavour, and yield. They are grown worldwide in temperate climates and are valued for their vitamin C content, aroma, and sweetness.
Uses and cultivation
Strawberries are eaten fresh and used in desserts, pastries, pies, jams, and preserved foods. In Canada, they are a common seasonal fruit, widely grown and sold across the country.
In short
- Strawberries are aggregate accessory fruits, not true berries.
- The garden strawberry is a hybrid, *Fragaria* × *ananassa*.
- They are native to temperate Northern Hemisphere regions and now cultivated globally.
- Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and used fresh or in preserved foods.
Strawberries are widely grown and sold in Canada, and they are a common seasonal fruit in Canadian diets and agriculture.
Quick questions
Is a strawberry a berry?
What are the seeds on a strawberry?
What family do strawberries belong to?
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/strawberrySupports: Genus, family, native range, cultivation, and common uses.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strawberrySupports: Definition of strawberry and the botanical description of the fruit and achenes.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH) — https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/taxonomy/Fragaria-x-ananassaSupports: Garden strawberry as *Fragaria* × *ananassa*, its worldwide cultivation, and botanical fruit type.
- NordGen — https://www.nordgen.org/projects/crop-wild-relatives/plant-portraits/strawberry-fragaria-sp/Supports: Cultivated strawberries' ancestry from wild North and South American species.