Strawberries are a hybrid species (Fragaria × ananassa) in the rose family that are grown for their red, edible fruit.
Strawberries are a short-lived perennial plant. Fruit production declines after the first couple of years, so most commercial strawberry growers plow the crop under at the end of the growing season and plant new strawberries at the beginning of the following season.
Woodland strawberries were first cultivated in the early 17th century, but for commercial production these were replaced by a cross of Fragaria Virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis in the late 18th century.
In botanical terms, the strawberry is an aggregate accessory fruit because the fruit is derived from the 'receptical' which holds the ovaries. Hence the seeds are held together by the central fruit. What appear to be seeds are actually flower ovaries - each of which contains a seed.
