Strawberries

Strawberries are bright red, heart-shaped fruits that many people love. They grow close to the ground on small green plants. Strawberries are sweet and juicy when they are ripe. You can spot them by the tiny yellow seeds dotting the outside. They taste great fresh, in pies, or on top of ice cream.

How Strawberries Grow

Strawberry plants are short and bushy. They have green leaves and pretty white flowers. After the flowers fall off, small green berries grow and turn red. The plants send out long runners to make new baby plants. Farmers often cover the ground with straw to keep the berries clean, which is how they got their name.

A Fruit With Seeds Outside

Most fruits keep their seeds inside, but strawberries are different. They have about 200 tiny seeds on the outside of each berry. Scientists say this means strawberries are not really true berries at all. They are called an accessory fruit instead. Still, they are one of the most loved fruits in the world.

Fun Facts

• Strawberries are part of the rose family of plants.
• Americans eat more than three pounds of fresh strawberries each year.
• Belgium has a museum that is all about strawberries.

Did You Know?

The ancient Romans believed strawberries could cure sadness and tummy aches.