If you have always thought that the white dots on strawberries were seeds, prepare to have your perception changed.
The appearance of strawberries might not garner much attention while enjoying a fresh batch during a summer picnic.
However, many enthusiasts of this delicious fruit have been surprised to discover what the white specs on its surface truly are, leaving many astonished by the reality.
Contrary to what you might have believed, the small white dots on strawberries are not seeds; they are achenes, which are actually the plant’s fruit.
“Achene” describes the simple dry fruit produced by various flowering plants, including buckwheat and cannabis.
Plants that produce achenes include dandelions and sunflowers, while some have winged variants like maple fruits, elm, bush willows, and hop trees.
Achenes house a single seed, but the strawberry plant is unique because it does not rely on these seeds for reproduction.
Additionally, strawberries are not classified as berries, despite the name, and instead propagate through “runners” that develop into new strawberry plants.
These “runners” function as small clones that root and start growing when they come into contact with the ground.
Scientists note that this method is an efficient way for the plant to grow and spread, much like spider plants and peppermint.
Given that strawberries are neither the plant’s fruit nor a true berry, many are puzzled about their actual classification.
They are identified as aggregate fruits, which are composed of multiple smaller fruits combined together.
Chris Gunter, an associate professor of horticultural science at NC State, provides insight into why the seeds, or achenes, are present on the strawberry’s exterior.
Gunter mentions that while it remains unclear what specific evolutionary forces led strawberries to evolve as they have, there are a few theories.
“There are a few fundamental reasons why plants have evolved different kinds of fruits. One reason is to attract something that spreads seeds,” he said.
“A second evolutionary approach is for plants to find ways for their fruit to disperse on their own. For example, they may fly in the wind, like a dandelion, or be moved by the water, like a coconut.”
It’s safe to say that my perspective on strawberries has forever changed.