People left mind-blown after discovering

Many people assume the white dots on strawberries are seeds, but they’re actually called achenes — each one a tiny, dry fruit that contains a seed. Unlike typical fruits, strawberries don’t use these seeds for reproduction. Instead, they grow through runners, which are essentially small plant clones that take root once they touch the ground. This method of spreading, also seen in plants like peppermint and spider plants, is highly efficient. Interestingly, despite their name, strawberries aren’t technically berries.

In fact, strawberries are classified as aggregate fruits, meaning they are formed from multiple smaller fruits clustered together. Chris Gunter, a horticultural science professor at NC State, explained that while it’s unclear why strawberries evolved this way, plants generally develop fruit types to aid in seed dispersal — whether by attracting animals, flying in the wind like dandelions, or floating like coconuts. Other plants that produce achenes include dandelions, sunflowers, and even maple trees, though their achenes often have wings. So, strawberries are more complex than they seem — not berries, not seeded on the inside, and not even traditional fruit in the way we usually think.