Images: ©Jouko Lehmuskallio
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
- Family: Rose Family – Rosaceae
- Height: 5–20 cm (2–8 in.), runners up to 2 metres (7 ft.) long.
- Flower: Regular (actinomorphic). Calyx-lobes five, sharp-pointed, hairy. Epicalyx-lobes narrow. Petals five, white, roundish, shallowly toothed, 4–6 mm long. Carpels many. Stamens 20. Receptacle hairless. Inflorescence a lax corymb.
- Leaves: Borne in basal tufts. Fairly long-stalked, trifoliolate. Leaflets 1–5 cm (0.4–2 in.) long, elliptic to diamond-shaped, smooth-haired on both sides, toothed, teeth tipped.
- Fruit: A red, fleshy berry-like receptacle with small achenes on the surface.
- Habitat: Dry meadows, burnt-over areas, waysides, forest margins, rock outcrops, lush broadleaf woods, eskers.
- Flowering time: June-July.
The strawberries (Fragaria) greatly resemble the cinquefoils (Potentilla). Both have runners, often trifoliolate leaves, and an enlarged receptacle.
The wild strawberry produces aromatic berries, and thrives best on open, dryish sites as it needs plenty of sun. It can’t grow among tall, thick vegetation. This species reproduces efficiently by its long, slender runners, but is also frequently dispersed by birds. The berries are very tasty but they may cause allergic reactions, rash and fever, especially in small children. The leaves have been used as a herbal medicine and tea.
