Delaware State Fruit

Strawberry

(Genus Fragaria)

Adopted on May 13, 2010.

Adopted May 13, 2010, as Delaware State Fruit, the strawberry is an important product of Delaware's agricultural industry. Delaware strawberries are bred for taste, not to be big or last a long time on a store self.  Strawberries are consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in such prepared foods as preserves, fruit juice, pies, ice creams, milkshakes, and chocolates. Artificial strawberry aroma is also widely used in many industrial food products.

Delaware State Fruit: Strawberry

The garden strawberry (or simply strawberry, 'Fragaria Ã- ananassa') is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria (collectively known as the strawberries). It is cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The fruit (which is not a botanical berry, but an aggregate accessory fruit) is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness.

History of the Strawberry

Wild strawberries have been growing in Italy since 235 BC. It is unknown when they started growing in North America, but when European settlers landed in Virginia in 1588, they discovered strawberries growing. Massachusetts settlers ate strawberries grown by American Indians as early as 1643.

In 1714, a French naval officer found a flowering strawberry plant in Chile. The plant was sent to a French horticulture center where the plant crossed with a North American strawberry plant. The result was a much larger berry than those grown elsewhere. Today's berries can be traced back to these plants.

Strawberries spread to California, and by the early 1900's were being grown on a large scale. Today, over 30,000 acres are planted in California each year which results in around one billion pounds of strawberries each year. Overall, California provides 80% of all the strawberries grown in the United States.

CHAPTER 255 FORMERLY HOUSE BILL NO. 203

CHAPTER 255
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 203
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DESIGNATING THE STRAWBERRY AS THE STATE FRUIT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

WHEREAS, strawberries are an important product of Delaware's agricultural industry; and

WHEREAS, children and adults love to pick their own strawberries; and

WHEREAS, strawberries can be a refreshing part of everyone's diet; and

WHEREAS, there are many diverse and delicious recipes and uses for strawberries, such as: strawberry shortcake, strawberries and cream, strawberry margaritas, strawberry daiquiris, strawberry milkshakes, strawberry ice cream, strawberry yogurt, strawberries on Belgium waffles, strawberry crepes, strawberry jelly, strawberry jam, strawberry salsa, strawberry pie, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry pretzel salad, strawberry soup, strawberry Jell-O, strawberry smoothies, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry bread, strawberry muffins, strawberry sorbet, strawberry mice, strawberries in champagne, strawberry wine, and just plain strawberries.

NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding a new section to read as follows:

"§ 322. State fruit.
Strawberries shall be the official fruit of the State.".
Approved May 13, 2010

Delaware Law

The law designating strawberries as the official Delaware state fruit is found in the Delaware Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Section 322.

Title 29 State Government
CHAPTER 3. STATE SEAL, SONG AND SYMBOLS
§ 322. State fruit.
Strawberries shall be the official fruit of the State.

Taxonomic Hierarchy: Strawberry

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants
    Subkingdom: Tracheobionta - Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta - Seed plants
    Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
    Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae - Rose family
Genus: Fragaria L. - strawberry