Virginia Strawberry
Encyclopedia
The Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is one of two species of strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern domesticated Garden Strawberry
. Its natural range is confined to North America
, in the United States
(including Alaska
) and Canada
, although a popular variety called "Little Scarlet
" is grown only in Great Britain
, having been imported from the United States
in the early 1900s.
It is also sometimes called "Wild Strawberry" or "Common Strawberry", though this can also refer to several other species of Fragaria, particularly F. vesca
.
, having eight sets of these chromosomes for a total of 56. These eight genomes pair as four distinct sets, of two different types, with little or no pairing between sets. The genome composition of the octoploid strawberry species has generally been indicated as AAA'A'BBB'B'. The A-type genomes were likely contributed by diploid ancestors related to Fragaria vesca or similar species, while the B-type genomes seem to descend from a close relative of Fragaria iinumae
. The exact process of hybridization and speciation which resulted in the octoploid species is still unknown, but it appears that the genome compositions of both Fragaria chiloensis
and Fragaria virginiana (and by extension the cultivated octoploid strawberry as well) are identical.
Garden Strawberry
The garden strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, is a hybrid species that is cultivated worldwide for its fruit, the strawberry. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness...
. Its natural range is confined to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(including Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
) and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, although a popular variety called "Little Scarlet
Little scarlet
Little Scarlet is, according to Wilkin & Sons Limited, Fragaria virginiana strawberry. It is American by origin but is grown only in Britain....
" is grown only in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, having been imported from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the early 1900s.
It is also sometimes called "Wild Strawberry" or "Common Strawberry", though this can also refer to several other species of Fragaria, particularly F. vesca
Woodland Strawberry
Fragaria vesca, commonly called wild strawberries or woodland strawberry, is a plant that grows naturally throughout the Northern Hemisphere....
.
Subspecies
There are four recognized subspecies:- Fragaria virginiana subsp. glauca (formerly known as F. ovalis)
- Fragaria virginiana subsp. grayana
- Fragaria virginiana subsp. platypetala
- Fragaria virginiana subsp. virginiana
Cytology
All strawberries have a base haploid count of 7 chromosomes. Fragaria virginiana is octoploidPolyploidy
Polyploid is a term used to describe cells and organisms containing more than two paired sets of chromosomes. Most eukaryotic species are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes — one set inherited from each parent. However polyploidy is found in some organisms and is especially common...
, having eight sets of these chromosomes for a total of 56. These eight genomes pair as four distinct sets, of two different types, with little or no pairing between sets. The genome composition of the octoploid strawberry species has generally been indicated as AAA'A'BBB'B'. The A-type genomes were likely contributed by diploid ancestors related to Fragaria vesca or similar species, while the B-type genomes seem to descend from a close relative of Fragaria iinumae
Fragaria iinumae
Fragaria iinumae is a species of strawberry native to Japan and eastern Russia.In Japan it was first discovered on and the name was given....
. The exact process of hybridization and speciation which resulted in the octoploid species is still unknown, but it appears that the genome compositions of both Fragaria chiloensis
Fragaria chiloensis
Fragaria chiloensis, the beach strawberry, Chilean strawberry, or coastal strawberry, is one of two species of strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern garden strawberry . It is noted for its large berries. Its natural range is the Pacific Ocean coasts of North and South America, and...
and Fragaria virginiana (and by extension the cultivated octoploid strawberry as well) are identical.