Strawberries are 
red, heart-shaped fruits. They are eaten fresh, often with cream. They are also used as a filling for pastries, pies, and cakes. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, and they also contain iron and other minerals.
Strawberry plants grow in mild regions all over the world. The United States and Canada are leading producers of strawberries. Many countries have developed their own strawberry varieties to suit their climate.
Strawberry plants grow close to the ground. At the top of the plant is the crown, from which the leaves sprout. The leaves have three hairy parts with jagged edges. White flowers grow in small groups on slender stalks. As the plant gets older, the crown sends out runners that spread over the ground and form new roots. This makes the plant bigger.
Botanists (people who study plants) do not consider strawberries to be true berries. A true berry, such as a blueberry, is a single fruit that forms from a single flower. Strawberries are actually groups of small fruits that form from a single flower.
Strawberries need to be stored in a cool and dry place after they have been picked. But they still do not stay fresh for very long. Some are frozen or canned to make them last longer.
