Most people think the juicy red part of a strawberry is the fruit. According to botanists, that’s not actually the case.
The tiny seed-like specks covering the outside of a strawberry are the true fruits. Known as achenes, each one contains a seed. The sweet red portion that people eat is an enlarged part of the flower that develops to help attract animals and aid in seed dispersal.
The discovery has surprised many social media users, with videos explaining the science behind strawberries attracting millions of views online. Despite being one of the world’s most recognizable fruits, strawberries are considered unique in the plant world because their seeds are found on the outside rather than the inside.
Modern strawberries also have an interesting history. The varieties commonly sold today originated from the crossing of strawberry species from North and South America during the 18th century. That hybrid eventually became the foundation of the strawberries found in supermarkets and gardens around the world.
The surprising facts have given many people a new appreciation for a fruit they thought they knew so well.
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