The most attractive berry of the beginning of summer is strawberries. But you can hear the name "strawberries." About how these two berries differ, and their features, read the review.

Botanical crop description

Strawberry - a short grassy plant with triple hairy leaves and white flowers. It belongs to the genus Strawberry (Fragaria). The genus unites about 50 different herbs: wild strawberries, meadow strawberries, garden strawberries and other plants. In the 19th century, in Russian, wild strawberries were called wild berries (Fragaria vesca), and strawberries - nutmeg (Fragaria moschata).

The second plant has many synonymous names, including strawberry garden or European. In the 20th century, an American variety of plant — pineapple strawberry — appeared in our gardens. And it is also often called strawberries, although these are plants that belong to different species.

Therefore, today in the gardens they grow different plants, which are called strawberries with the same frequency, but all of them belong to the genus Strawberries. They differ in the characteristics of growth, flowering and fruiting. Forest strawberries - the progenitor of all cultural species. It grows in abundance in shady areas of the forest zone and is found everywhere in Russia. It is also well distributed in Europe. Its fruits are characteristic bright red berries. Yellow nuts (seeds) on them, most often protrude from the pulp. It was the main culture that was collected in the forests until the 19th century. Especially in the gardens it was not grown.

Did you know? Like a dandelion, every part of the plant is edible. The roots are used as a sweet snack and for making tea. It is used for diarrhea, lung and stomach diseases, as well as dry skin.

The plant, whose fruits are sold in abundance in June, is garden strawberry. Her vegetation lasts 3 months. In June, buds appear that turn into wonderful red berries. They are larger than strawberries, and the nuts are sunk deep into the flesh. Large-fruited or pineapple - does not occur in the wild. This is the result of breeding work. The species was introduced into Russia only in the 19th century. It is represented by frost-resistant varieties.

Like ivy, all these plants form shoots that spread along the ground and take root. As soon as they take root, a new leaf rosette begins to grow, from which the next shoot is formed. The first of them was the Victoria variety, which is why the berry is often called by the name of the variety. Its fruits are the largest. They are difficult to separate from the stalk and, unlike strawberries, do not tolerate shady areas. In such a zone, the plant will not produce fruit. The pulp is different from garden strawberries. It is partially unpainted.

Strawberries

Garden strawberries are a widely cultivated species of the genus Fragaria. Grown from delicious berries. They are widely appreciated for their characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture and sweetness. Strawberries are consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in finished foods such as canned goods, juices, pies, ice cream, milkshakes and chocolate.

Learn how to grow strawberries in winter.

The plant is a perennial with erect stems. They are assembled in a fairly large outlet. Each of them has a ternary compound sheet. Leaf plates are ribbed, diamond-shaped. Flowering begins in May or June. Inflorescences are groups of 5-12 flowers on small pedicels. Pollinated by insects.

The fruits are small, sweet with a berry-honey aroma, red. Small nuts are immersed in the pulp of the fruit, and this is the main difference between this species and other strawberries. When pollinated by other species, the plant does not form fruits due to complete incompatibility with them. Propagated by the vegetative method - antennae. The root system is a kidney-shaped, lying shallow, so strawberries need good watering.

We advise you to familiarize yourself with the features of the effect of strawberries on the body of pregnant women.

Wild strawberries

Wild strawberries grow in shaded areas at the edges of forests or among shrubs. It can grow and bear fruit in completely different conditions: on poor and rich soils, very moist and with varying moisture. Perennial consists of a long rhizome and a rosette with leaves.

There are stipules at the base of the outlet. Spread by creeping shoots. Flowers are also collected in inflorescences. The fruit is a multi-root, formed from an overgrown receptacle. Nuts stick out from the pulp. The leaves are the same in shape as strawberries, but slightly larger.

What is the difference between strawberries and strawberries

There are more than 20 types of cultivated plants of the genus Strawberry, as well as many hybrids and varieties. The most common is garden strawberries, grown for commercial purposes. Its taste and size depends on the variety. The taste ranges from sweet to tart. This is one of the most important garden crops widely grown in all the temperate regions of the world.

Important! Since garden strawberries are triploid, it is sterile and its seeds will not germinate. Note that you have never seen the sale of the seeds of this plant. Its reproduction occurs only vegetatively.

External signs

Most cultivars have a longer flowering period. External differences are in the difference in the size of the fruit, as well as the fruiting time.

Characteristic	Wild strawberry	Strawberry
Leaf socket	small erect	large, upright
Stipules	there is	are absent
Sheet plate	harder, light green	softer, dark green
Flower	five-petalled yellowish	five-petalled white
Fetal size	small	medium to large
Fetal shape	pointy	cubic
Color	red	from light red to dark red
Pulp	dry	juicy

Taste difference

Wild strawberries are much appreciated. She is much smaller than her garden cousin, but also much sweeter. In some garden varieties, the taste may be not only not very sweet, but also with bitterness or a spicy aroma.

Did you know? Wild strawberries grew in the Neolithic times, as evidenced by excavations. In a cultural form, it began to be grown in France in Languedoc.

Nutrients

The nutritional value	Wild strawberry	Strawberry
Calorie content	146 kcal	49 kcal
Zhirov	2.5 g	0.5 g
Carbohydrates	7.0 g	117 g
Sahara	5.0 g	7.4 g
Squirrel	23.0 g	1 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g

Strawberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E and group B, as well as minerals such as potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and iodine. Various diseases and complications - diabetes, gout, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis can be prevented with a 12-day treatment with strawberries.

Such a therapeutic diet can also alleviate the symptoms of rheumatism, if combined with sunbathing for the affected area of ​​the skin. In the absence of an allergy, strawberries can treat acne, dermatosis and psoriasis. Its fruits catalyze the healing process.

Strawberries are characterized by a low glycemic index of 40. This means that it has a slight effect on the level of glucose in the blood or the reaction to insulin, so it can be used for diabetes. It is rich in fiber, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants such as anthocyanins and quercetin. Fiber helps keep your intestines healthy. A large volume of potassium will help normalize pressure and prevent coronary heart disease.

Important! When buying, choose strawberries that smell sweet and have a rich, bright, red color. Avoid soft berries or those that start to mold.

Quercetin and flavonoids contained in strawberries have an effect on reducing inflammatory processes, blood pressure and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Anthocyanins are plant pigments that provide the red color of strawberries. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are important for the overall health of the body.

Growing Features

Strawberries are not difficult to grow. It grows just like any fast-growing plant, propagated by antennae. You just need to provide enough space for its cultivation. Any soil is suitable for her, as well as the degree of lighting: from partial shade to a sunny meadow. It perfectly resists dry conditions, but it will be better if you organize regular watering. This is especially important in hot weather.

Transplanting and propagation of the plant are easily carried out, since the shoots grow regularly. When transplanting, do not deepen the root outlet into the ground deeper than it grew in the previous place. Gardeners mulch the area near it with straw or sawdust to prevent contact of the berries with the ground and their decay.

Eating any kind of strawberry is very good for your health. But do not forget that any foods are good in moderation and should not eat more than 1 kg of fruit per day to avoid problems with the intestines.