Strawberries (Fragaria)

Strawberries (Fragaria) have a complex origin story as the modern garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a hybrid species. However, the *parent species* have clear native regions. Here’s the breakdown:

* **Fragaria virginiana:** Native to **North America**, primarily the eastern and central regions of the United States and Canada.

* **Fragaria chiloensis:** Native to the **Pacific coast of North and South America**, ranging from Alaska down to Chile.

Because *Fragaria × ananassa* is a hybrid between these two species, its origin is traced to **Brittany, France**. This is where the two parent species were brought together in gardens and naturally hybridized in the 18th century.

So, while modern strawberries are cultivated globally, their ancestral roots lie in:

* **North America (Fragaria virginiana)**
* **The Pacific Coast of North and South America (Fragaria chiloensis)**

Therefore, the likely geographical location or native region of the *Fragaria* genus is **North and South America**.