Blackberry, Thimbleberry and Raspberry
Blackberries and raspberries are classified as aggregate
fruits because they are clusters of one-seeded drupelets, each cluster of
drupelets developing from a single flower. The drupelets are typically eaten as
a cluster, and not individually. Like other fruits, the origin of blackberries
and raspberries is very complicated and there are numerous cultivated varieties
that have been developed through the centuries. The main red raspberries grown
commercially come from Rubus idaeus, a widespread North American species. The
origin of many cultivars of true blackberries include the North American black
raspberry R. occidentalis, the European cut-leaved blackberry (R. laciniatus),
and the Pacific blackberry or dewberry (R. ursinus). The latter species is also
the source of the 'Loganberry,' 'Youngberry' and 'Boysenberry.' Actually, a
cross between an octoploid California blackberry (possibly R. ursinus) and a
European raspberry, first discovered in the garden of Joshua Logan, gave rise
to the loganberry, a popular fruit in the western United States, where it is
used for pies and jams. North American blackberries are also the source of an
edible purple dye used to label meats with the familiar USDA ratings.
Strawberry
The strawberry is another very beautiful aggregate fruit
that develops from a single white flower. It is composed of numerous, small,
yellowish-brown, one-seeded fruits (called achenes) which are embedded in a
swollen, fleshy, red receptacle. The tiny achenes are only found in the outer
(surface) tissue of the strawberry receptacle, and produce the slight, gritty
texture of the fruit. Most of the common cultivated varieties come from
Fragaria x ananassa, a hybrid between Virginia strawberry F. virginiana of
eastern North America and the widespread beach strawberry F. chiloensis of
North and South America. The generic name Fragaria is derived from the Latin
fragrans, referring to the sweet fragrance of the fruit. Strawberries are an
attractive and delicious fruit with a high content of vitamins A and C.
Aggregate fruit of a hybrid strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)
showing the individual yellowish-brown, one-seeded achenes embedded in
the red, fleshy receptacle. Although the one-seeded achenes represent
separate ripened ovaries, each strawberry is produced from a single
white flower.