Strawberries are regarded as false fruits or complex fruits by botanists.Strawberries are largely cultivated and are a hybrid of two separate parent species. They are known for their sweet taste and bright red color.A group of strawberries in a box is called punnet. It tastes heavenly and is loved by people all over the world. However, have you wondered ‘are strawberries a fruit or vegetable’? Strawberries are often thought to be berries, however, that is not true. Botanically, berries are a subcategory of fruits, that are derived from a single ovary. Most of the ‘vegetables’ that we eat daily, like eggplants, avocados, bananas, and tomatoes are in fact berries. Fruit, on the other hand, is a matured ovary or ovaries covered with a pulp or a fleshy layer of tissues. The common myth is those that are sweet are fruits and those that are not are vegetables. Therefore, plants that we refer to as ‘vegetables’ are actually fruits. In Pennsylvania, strawberries are actually thought to be an important crop. Like strawberries, many fruits in fact are wrongly considered to be vegetables and vice versa. Avocado, for example, is known to be a vegetable, however, as per botanical definition, it is actually a fruit. Similarly, rhubarbs which are famous as dessert foods is actually a vegetable.Read on to find out more. If you enjoy this article, why not also read about are pumpkin fruits and are roses edible here on Kidadl?Are strawberries a citrus fruit?Citrus fruits refer to the members of the Rutaceae plant group. The trees are large and prefer warmer climates over cold ones.Strawberries, on the other hand, are classified to the plant group Rosaceae. Unlike citrus fruits, strawberries can withstand a cold environment. The green-colored dots that we can see on the body are in fact the actual fruits. The seeds on the outside are also known as achenes. The red edible fleshy substance is called the receptacle of the seeds. Therefore, strawberries are not citrus fruits as they belong to completely different flowering plant families. However, both these are great sources of Vitamin C.How are strawberries a super fruit?Superfruits are traditional fruits that are known to have a high percentage of nutrients and antioxidants and have numerous health benefits associated with them. These fruits prevent sickness and disease in human beings. There is no fixed botanical definition for a superfruit.Strawberries contain all of these health benefits and are rich in several vitamins and nutrients and therefore are commonly called superfruits. Not only is it rich in fiber and antioxidants, but strawberry also helps prevent many chronic health diseases.Are strawberries considered a fungi fruit?Fruits prone to fungal growth are called fungi fruits and strawberries aren’t one of them. Fungi are a group of hyphae (white fine threads) is called mycelium. Mycelium can stay inside the ground for a long time, in a favorable environment of food and temperature. The growth of mycelium results in the rotting of fruits.A strawberry is not a fungi fruit. It is known as an achene fruit, commonly. It is actually an aggregate of achene fruit. Achene fruits are a type of fruit produced by many flowering plants. Each seed that we see on the strawberry is actually a separate fruit with a seed on it. Because strawberries are formed from the ripened ovary and some other parts of flowering plants, it is called a false fruit or complex fruit.Strawberry trees are grown in colder regions of the world. The reason is that in relatively low temperatures like 58-72° F (15-22° C), and around 80% humidity - gray mold or Botrytis fruit rot can attack the fruits. The best way to avoid this fungus is by freezing the fruit immediately after harvest. The strawberry plants bear attractive white flowers which later develop into fruits. During the development of the fruits, long slender growths of the plant, known as runners grow on the ground and form roots in the soil. The roots in turn develop into new plants and bear new fruits. Strawberries multiply into daughter plants called clones.Are strawberries a good anti-inflammatory fruit?A strawberry contains anthocyanin and phytochemicals, which makes it a good anti-inflammatory fruit. Strawberries also contain polyphenols like proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins which reduce blood clots and lower heart disease.Strawberries can also help as supplements to strong inflammatory medicines. For example, the folic acid in strawberries can lower the side effect of arthritis medicines, especially the arthritis medication component - methotrexate. The anti-inflammatory aspect of strawberries can also help with skin inflammation - that is, when the skin is exposed to harmful UV rays.The seeds of the plant’s ovaries that we see on the red fleshy substance are actually fruits. Strawberries are known to cure several chronic diseases and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke as well. Like strawberries, blueberry also has a history of health benefits. A berry is known to have approximately 200 seeds that are rich in fiber. Some examples of berries are tomatoes, avocadoes, and bananas among many others.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘What’s the debate? Are strawberries a fruit? Or they vegetables?’ then why not take a look at ‘Let’s know food better: How is olive oil made? Fun food facts to know!’ or ‘Do you know all about flour? Learn how is maida made’?
Strawberries are regarded as false fruits or complex fruits by botanists.
