Fun Fact #376 Berries of the Straw
Fun Fact #376
Berries of the Straw
Almost everyone loves Strawberries but they haven't always been the succulent red and juicy fruits we know and love today. The Red Strawberries come from the Americas where they grow in tiny sizes, rarely getting bigger than a blueberry but are well known for having an overpowering taste. These were then interbred with “Fressants” or white strawberries from France known for their large size but almost non existent taste; creating the common Garden Strawberry we all know and love today.
As for the original American Strawberry (called “The Virginia Strawberry”)? While not sold in stores it is easily found in most American yards preferring dry, yet loamy soil and the berries sit so low to the ground most lawnmowers miss them entirely. It only has to stay above 70 degrees for two weeks for a plant to go from flowering to a fruit ready for harvest before they form new flowers to begin all over again. Just be warned, the plants are near impossible to get rid of, and birds will spread them like crazy. The plant first appeared in my yard a few years ago and now most of my yard has been overrun by strawberries hiding in the grass like they’re planning to conduct guerrilla warfare.
