New Strawberry Variety Discovered
A new species of wild strawberry has been discovered in Oregon, bringing with it new genetic material for research and the possibility of a new class of commercial strawberries, according to a USDA scientist cited by the Central Valley Business Times. Genes from the new strawberries may result in new flavors and or disease resistance.
The variety was discovered in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains by Kim Hummer, Agricultural Research Service scientist with the National Clonal Germplasm Repository. Hummer dubbed the new variety Fragaria cascadensis.
“The new strawberry species begins growing after snowmelt in late May or early June and flowers in early July. Runner production begins after flowering, and fruit ripens during August for about 2 weeks,” said Hummer. “The fruits of plants at about 5,000 feet elevation ripen 1 to 2 weeks later than those at 3,280 feet.”
The strawberry is a perennial plant with distinctive hairs on the upper side of its leaves, comma-shaped, small brown fruits called "achenes" on the strawberry surface, and 10 sets of chromosomes, unlike the eight sets in commercial strawberries. The plants range spans an average annual precipitation of six to 15 inches.
“In the future, consumers could benefit from the knowledge gained and genes provided by this new wild strawberry,” Ms. Hummer said.
