A strawberry is a fruit that is the member of the rose family Rosaceae. There are more than 20 different species and many hybrids and cultivars. The taste of strawberries varies by cultivar. They can vary from sweet to tart.

Strawberries are not actual berries. Berries are fruts that do not split apart at maturity, are derived from a single ovary, and their whole walls are fleshy. A strawberry is known as a pseudocarp, or "false fruit." It is actually multiple fruits made up of tiny individiual fruits that are embeded in a fleshy container. The tiny little spots on the outside of the fruit are commonly known as seeds; however, they are the true fruits. These are called achenes, and each of these achenes surround a single seed.

Strawberries are native to the Americas. The indigenous peoples of North America used them in many different dishes. After the Colombian Exchange, strawberries were shipped back to Europe in the early 1600s. Another variety of the strawberry was found in central and South America. The conquistadors called them "futilla," and people did not bother cultivating them because they were so abundant in the wild.

Strawberries are hybrids of two different parent species. This allows them to withstand a wide variety of temperatures. This is why strawberries are cultivated in all 50 states. Florida and California are the largest U.S. producers. They are also a significant crop in Pennsylvania; however, their season only lasts about 3 and a half weeks.

Strawberries can be eaten straight out of hand, or they can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Very common ways uses of strawberries are in tarts and pies. Other ways to use them are in muffins, breads, jams, jellies, preserves, and sauces. Fresh strawberries can also be used in salads and smoothies, too. Freezing the strawberries is also a very common practice and works well for smoothies.

Strawberries are among the most widely grown fruit in a home garden, so they can be cultivated in a wide variety of ecosystems. They can withstand a wide variety of temperatures because they are a hybrid of two different parent species. For the best yields, strawberries require well drained soil that is high in organic matter and full sun (at least 6 hours per day). Strawberries should not be planted where peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, or potatoes have previously been grown. This is because these plants have the potential to carry a serious strawberry disease known as verticillium wilt. Strawberries should be given one inch of water per week while it is being grown.