Good nightshade! That devious little fruit has tricked people again!

And the knowledge that it’s a fruit may be the only correct thing you’ve believed about strawberries. Many people feel secure in their belief that strawberries, blackberries and raspberries are all members of the same family and are some of the best berries out there. But hold on – the rug is about to be pulled out from under you. In reality, a berry is a fleshy fruit with many seeds embedded inside the flesh of a single, juicy ovary. So according to this definition tomatoes, blueberries and grapes are some awesome berries. And, in fact, strawberries aren’t even part of the bunch. (And you can bet that pun was intended.)

But they’re not nightshades, either. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, bell peppers, potatoes, and even tobacco are. But strawberries are part of – get this – the Rose family.