The strawberry, like the blackberry and the raspberry, is a member of the family rosaceae, but differs from these other berries in composition. Raspberries and blackberries are clusters of tiny, complete fruits, each containing a seed, while the small "seeds" visible on the outside of the strawberry are individual fruits. The bulk of the strawberry is actually the base of the flower and is therefore a "false fruit."
The sweet, floral scent of the strawberry is probably the source of its Latin name, "fraga," which forms the root of the English word fragrance. The name strawberry may refer to the straying nature of the rambling plant; though Webster 1913 has a different explanation of the name, below.
Because strawberries grow along the ground, they can be sandy. The best way to clean them without bruising is to wipe gently with a damp paper towel. Rinsing them under running water can bruise the tender darlings. To store strawberries, place them in a single layer, unwashed, on a cookie sheet lined with a clean tea towel or paper towel, covered them with a second towel, in the fridge. They'll keep for a few days.