154: Plants Are Using YOU: Why Bananas Are Berries BUT Strawberries Aren't
TRY Happy Mushrooms "FLORA10" FOR 10% OFF Phil Gibson is a biology professor at the University of Oklahoma. He's interested in plant evolution and plant reproductive systems. In addition to ecological work, he's interested in science education, especially evolution and botany education.
Is a Banana a Berry? The Surprising Truth About Fruits and Classification
When it comes to classifying fruits, science often challenges what we think we know. One of the most mind-blowing facts in botany is that bananas are actually berries—while strawberries are not! If that confuses you, buckle up, because we’re about to break down how fruits are classified and why bananas fit into the berry category.
What Defines a Fruit?
In botanical terms, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant that contains seeds. If you ever find yourself wondering if something is a fruit, just ask: Does it contain seeds? If the answer is yes, it’s a fruit!
Vegetables, on the other hand, refer to the leaves, stems, and roots of plants. So while tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants are technically fruits, things like carrots, spinach, and celery are vegetables.
What Makes a Berry?
A true berry is a fleshy fruit that develops from a single ovary and contains one or more seeds, but it must also meet these criteria:
It comes from a flower with one ovary
It has multiple seeds
It has a soft, fleshy pericarp (fruit wall)
It does not have a hard pit (like peaches or cherries)
Under this definition, bananas, tomatoes, grapes, and even eggplants are berries. Meanwhile, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are not berries—they are actually "aggregate fruits" because they form from multiple ovaries instead of just one.
Why is a Banana a Berry?
Bananas meet all the botanical requirements of a berry:
They develop from a single ovary
They contain seeds (although they are tiny and underdeveloped in commercial bananas)
They have a soft, fleshy texture without a hard pit
This means your morning banana smoothie is technically full of berries!
Other Fruits That Might Surprise You
Tomatoes: Often mistaken for a vegetable, but actually a berry
Cucumbers: Yes, your salad staple is a berry
Pumpkins & Watermelons: They belong to a special type of berry called a "pepo"
Oranges & Lemons: These citrus fruits are classified as "hesperidium"—a type of berry with a thick rind
Why Does This Matter?
Aside from being an interesting trivia fact, understanding how fruits are classified can help us appreciate the diversity of the plant world. It also sheds light on how plants evolved to spread their seeds through different dispersal methods—whether by wind, water, or animals munching on delicious berries.
So next time you hear someone say they don’t like fruit on their pizza, remind them that tomatoes, peppers, and even eggplants are fruits! And if they argue that bananas aren’t berries, you’ve got the botanical science to prove them wrong.
Want more mind-blowing plant facts? Stay tuned for more deep dives into the fascinating world of botany! 🌱🍌
——————————————————————————
Resources Mentioned:
Gibson Lab – Botany / Evolution / Education
BioTA Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
Wear FFP merch to support the show and impress your friends & family
Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day
Happy Mushroom "FLORA10"
These 100% done-for-you kits let you harvest around 56 grams of premium mushrooms in just three week
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
***I am an affiliate with ENERGYBITS (your daily algae tablet packed with nutrients) go visit this link and use code FLORAFUNGA at checkout for 20% off***
Get 20% off Sovereignty use code "KK20"
Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day
SUPPORT THE SHOW: Join my Patreon for only $1/month [THATS only .03 cents a day!]
Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me:
Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube
Patreon
Help support my plant buying habit by "Buying me a Plant"
a twist on buy me a coffee
