strawberry, any plant of the genus Fragaria of the family Rosaceae (rose family), low herbaceous perennials with edible red fruits, native to temperate and mountainous tropical regions. The European everbearing strawberry (F. vesca) is the only species that does not put out the stolons typical of this easily propagated genus. It has been cultivated sporadically since pre-Christian times but intensively only since the 15th cent. The common strawberry, grown in many varieties in both Europe and America, is Fragaria × Ananassa, the result of the hybridization of F. chiloensis, believed to be indigenous to Chile and to the mountains of W North America, with the wild strawberry (F. virginiana) of E North America. Both species were introduced to Europe by New World explorers; the large French industry grew from a single common strawberry plant. In the United States the many growing regions harvest their crops in different seasons, from winter (Florida) to late spring (chiefly Michigan, Oregon, and Washington). Strawberries are sold fresh, frozen, or in preserves and are used in confectionery and for flavoring. Strawberries are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.

Fruit plant of eight main species of the genus Fragaria (rose family), the chief cultivated varieties of which are F. virginiana and F. chiloensis, native to the Americas. The low-growing, herbaceous plant has a fibrous root system and a crown from which basal leaves arise. The leaves are compound, with three leaflets, sawtooth-edged and hairy. Small clusters of white flowers grow on slender stalks. Botanically, the strawberry fruit is not a berry or a single fruit, but is instead a greatly enlarged stem end that contains many partially embedded true fruits (achenes), popularly called seeds. The plant propagates by stolons as it ages. Strawberries are very perishable and require cool, dry storage. They are eaten fresh or prepared for use in desserts or preserves. Rich in vitamin C, they also provide iron and other minerals.

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Strawberry is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,028 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Strawberry is located at (34.4078063, -111.4934754).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,028 people, 491 households, and 354 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 101.0 people per square mile (39.0/km²). There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of 114.5/sq mi (44.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.69% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.97% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.11% of the population.

There were 491 households out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.44.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 13.4% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 40.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,739, and the median income for a family was $42,279. Males had a median income of $38,125 versus $26,389 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,609. About 6.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

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