Woodland Strawberry ( Fragaria vesca L.) – By Mark Jaunzems Woodland strawberry (Figure 1) is related to the more common wild strawberry ( Fragaria virginica )(Figure 2). When found in fruit the two species are fairly easy to tell apart as the fruits of woodland strawberry are more conical in shape and the seeds project out of the surface of the fruit, whereas the seeds of wild strawberry are imbedded into the fruits and the entire fruit is more round in shape.
Another way to tell them apart without any fruit being present is to look carefully at the tip of the central leaflet, in woodland strawberry the most central leaf tooth is about the same size as the adjacent teeth and its length is equal to or exceeds the leaf teeth on either side. In the more widespread wild strawberry this central tooth is smaller in total size and also shorter in length than the teeth on either side.
See figure 3 for comparison of the leaves of both species. Woodland strawberry occurs in a wide range of habitats that include hardwood forests, mixed woods, swamps; edges of woods, cedar swamps; rocky woodland and damp ledges. (Voss, 1985) Wild strawberry also has a wide variety of habitats but in general it occurs in drier, more disturbed, and more open sunny sites than woodland strawberry.
- Voss, 1985) Woodland strawberry flowers quite early in the growing season at around the same time as the peak blooming time of common dandelion, ( Taraxicum officinale ).
- This can vary from April to June depending on where in the range the plants are located.
- The flowers of woodland and wild strawberry are quite similar (see figures 1 and 2 for comparison).
Woodland strawberry has a wide range that includes the southern provinces of Canada and all but the U.S. states of Alaska, Nevada, and a band of the southeastern states from Kansas east to Florida. Wild strawberry is even more widespread and occurs in all U.S.
Contents
Do wild strawberries grow in the UK?
You might think that strawberries are as English as clotted cream and Wimbledon, but you’d be mistaken, says Fiona Davison, Head of Libraries and Exhibitions It is hard to believe now, but strawberries as we know them are a relatively modern horticultural development, the result of crosses between far-flung species from Europe and both North and South America. Small native woodland strawberries have been grown in Britain for centuries, transplanted from the wild to our gardens from the Middle Ages onwards.
Do wild strawberries grow in the US?
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown.1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions.3 vols. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. Vol.2:260. Virginia strawberry, also called Wild strawberry, is a low-growing, perennial, herbaceous (i.e.
- Not woody) plant growing less than 1 foot tall.
- It is a creeping plant, producing new plants along runners (stolons) that extend sideways along the surface of the soil, rooting as they grow.
- They provide food for many small animals and birds.
- Wild strawberry is a native plant found in much of the US and Canada.
Leaves: Leaves that extend from the base of the plant are composed of long hairy petioles (leaf stems) and three leaflets. Each leaflet is 1 to 1.5 inches long, with toothed edges. Flowers: Individual flowers (less than one-inch diameter) have five white petals surrounding a yellow center with many stamens.
 Wild strawberry flowers.J. D’Appollonio, UMaine |
 Wild strawberry leaves, flowers and fruit.J. D’Appollonio, UMaine |
Tips for Observing: This plant is deciduous but leaves remain green throughout the winter, so observers will need to look carefully to determine whether they see “initial growth” or last year’s leaves. In early spring, when the snow is receding and before the grass turns green, little active growth occurs.
Where did the wild strawberry come from?
Fragaria virginiana (Wild Strawberry) Rosaceae The wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It is one of two species of strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern domesticated garden strawberry.
What conditions do wild strawberries like?
Planting wild strawberries: when, where and how – Wild strawberries can be planted in shade and partial shade, but they prefer sunny locations. The ideal soil for wild strawberries is moist to moderately dry, nutrient-rich and loamy with a slightly acidic pH.
- Wet, clayey, and compacted soils are unsuitable as they can lead to root rot.
- Wild strawberries and a few alpine strawberries spread through runners which make them ideal for planting as ground cover or underplanting around woody plants and fruit trees.
- Varieties that do not form any runners are great for planting along the edge of borders and as companion plants in perennial beds.
All wild and alpine varieties can be cultivated in pots and window boxes, so they are ideal for any small outdoor growing space such as a balcony, terrace or patio. The ideal time for planting these and other perennials is late autumn between mid-October and the end of November. 
Wild strawberries can be grown in pots and window boxes For many varieties, the only way to propagate new plants is with seeds. The process starts in February on a warm, bright windowsill. Prepare a sowing container with a mixture of half low-nutrient growing medium and half sand.
- For both wild strawberries and alpine strawberries, simply scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil and, as they need light to germinate, only very lightly cover them with soil.
- Eep the wild strawberry seeds moist with a spray bottle.
- After three to four weeks, the seeds will germinate.
- Once the strawberry seedlings have four leaves, they can be transplanted into more nutrient-rich soil and placed outdoors.
Some wild strawberry varieties will flower and bear fruit already in the first year after sowing, others in the following year. Before planting wild strawberry plants, loosen the soil in the entire planting area and mix in some compost if necessary. Alternatively, fill a container with a loose potting soil such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost,
- This peat-free compost is great at retaining moisture and releases it to the plant roots as needed.
- With the help of a hand trowel, plant the wild strawberries shallowly − the same depth they were growing before pricking them out.
- The young buds should be exposed in the middle of the leaf rosette.
- Eep a spacing of 15 to 25 cm between each plant.
If you are planting wild strawberries as a ground cover, plant about seven to nine plants per square metre. After planting, press the soil down well all around the plants and water the area thoroughly. 
Organic All Purpose Compost, 40L
Perfect for all your house, garden & balcony plants For strong & healthy plants as well as an active soil life Peat-free & organic soil: CO 2 -saving composition
Summary: How to plant wild strawberries
Location: prefers sun; shade and partial shade possibleSoil: moist to moderately dry, nutrient-rich, loamy, slightly acidic pHTime: mid-October to end of November or March/AprilPlant spacing: 15 to 25 centimetres between plants
Do wild strawberries grow in Japan?
Fragaria nipponica is a species of wild strawberry native to the western side of the Japanese island of Honshū, with a variety Fragaria nipponica var. yakusimensis on Yakushima.
Are false strawberries edible?
Can You Eat Mock Strawberries? – While mock strawberries are definitely bland, they are edible and harmless. If you have a mock strawberry plant in your backyard, it’s a harmless weed. If anything, the berries are cute reminders that nature is packed with all kinds of interesting plants. Have you heard about white strawberries ?
Are wild strawberries healthy?
Wild Strawberries Wild Strawberries: Fragaria Vesca. Sounds like a spell from a Harry Potter movie, but is in fact the botanical name for wild strawberries. The wild strawberry is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the rose family grows all throughout the northern hemisphere.
- It flowers from April to June each year, and can be found in a plethora of areas from roadsides, embankments, hillsides, stone- and gravel laid paths, and meadows to forests, and clearings.
- It can grow up to 6 inches tall and has leaves that split into small leaflets which are considered ornamental and can still be seen on the crowns of English royalty today.
Each leaf symbolizes perfect righteousness. Wild strawberry plants have runners which creep along the ground and sprout new plants along the way. What sets wild strawberries apart from their traditionally cultivated counterparts is their much smaller size.
Don’t let that fool you though; their flavor packs a much bigger and sweeter punch that is comparable to none. A favorite memory of mine is growing up in Germany and spending sunny spring days strolling through the country side with my friends hunting for these delectably sweet and succulent berries.
We obliterated each and every patch along the way with no remorse, and no spoils to take home and share either. Each tiny bite was well earned and hard won. 
Wild Strawberries in history: Wild strawberries have been revered throughout history across many cultures for numerous reasons. They go from magical to whimsical. “Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did”. These were the words uttered by 17 th century writer Dr William Butler who was referring to the wild strawberry which has always connoted purity, passion, healing, and perfection.
In Native American history it is said that not long after the first man and woman were created they were fighting and the first woman took off in anger. The Great Spirit then placed multiple delicious berries in the way of the first woman to stop her so that the first man could catch up and apologize.
First blueberries appeared then raspberries, currants and blackberries. She didn’t even slow down. Then when the strawberry materialized in front of her and she slowed to taste it. It was so good that she stopped to pick more and the first man was able to catch up with her and apologize.
- It is said that this is why the strawberry is in the shape of a heart, to symbolize the love between the first man and woman.
- Each spring in Bavaria country folk tie small baskets of strawberries on the horns of their cattle as an offering to the elves who are extremely fond of strawberries.
- All in the hopes that in return the elves will help produce healthy calves and abundant milk.
How did the strawberry get its name? The English strawberry gets its name from the Anglo-Saxon “streoberie” which means strewn berry. Other theories of how the name came about are due to the practice of mulching strawberry plants with straw. Hence the ‘straw’ berry.
- Wild Strawberries are an excellent source of anthocyanins which is a class of flavonoids which are known to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- The flavonoid quercetin which is found abundantly in wild strawberries has natural anti-inflammatory compounds and may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of some cancers.
- Wild Strawberries are an excellent source of potassium which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Strawberries are a great source of fiber and hydration which helps keep you regular and healthy. Fiber along with potassium is a fantastic way to help support heart health.
- Quercetin and vitamin C in strawberries have anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties which may help alleviate symptoms of asthma and allergies.
- Folate among other properties in strawberries are known to help fight depression by regulating mood, sleep and appetite.
Strawberry Shortcake Recipe By Carrie Vasios Mullins https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/05/best-quick-and-easy-strawberry-shortcake-recipe.html INGREDIENTS
- For Strawberries
- 1 pound strawberries, stemmed, hulled, and sliced (about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- For Biscuits
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cold heavy cream
- For Whipped Cream
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
DIRECTIONS
- For the berries: Combine strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl. Toss and set aside at room temperature. Let stand for at least 15 minutes.
- Make biscuits : Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in about 1/3 of heavy cream. Stir to start to mix in cream with a spatula or wooden spoon. When first 1/3 is almost incorporated, add another 1/3, followed by final third, at which point the dough should come together.
- Divide dough into four equal portions and place on prepared baking sheet (see note above). Bake until golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Make whipped cream : While biscuits are baking, place heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (see note above). Whip until stiff peaks form, but stop before mixture clumps.
- For assembly : Split each biscuit in half. Top each bottom half of a biscuit with about 1/2 cup strawberries, followed by a few tablespoons of whipped cream. Top with biscuits halves and serve immediately.
: Wild Strawberries
Why isn’t a strawberry a berry?
The Strawberry: A Multiple Fruit When we think of fruits and vegetables, we’re pretty sure about which is which. We tend to lump sweet or sour-tasting plants together as fruits, and those plants that are not sugary we consider vegetables. To be more accurate, however, we must consider which part of the plant we are eating.
- While vegetables are defined as plants cultivated for their edible parts, the botanical term “fruit” is more specific.
- It is a mature, thickened ovary or ovaries of a seed-bearing plant, together with accessory parts such as fleshy layers of tissue or “pulp.” Thus, many of the foods we think of casually as fruits, such as rhubarb (of which we eat the leaf stalks), are not fruits at all, and many of our favorite “vegetables” actually fit the definition of fruit, such as the tomato.
As a subcategory of fruits, berries are yet another story. A berry is an indehiscent (not splitting apart at maturity) fruit derived from a single ovary and having the whole wall fleshy. Berries are not all tiny, and they’re not all sweet. Surprisingly, eggplants, tomatoes and avocados are botanically classified as berries.
And the popular strawberry is not a berry at all. Botanists call the strawberry a “false fruit,” a pseudocarp. A strawberry is actually a multiple fruit which consists of many tiny individual fruits embedded in a fleshy receptacle. The brownish or whitish specks, which are commonly considered seeds, are the true fruits, called achenes, and each of them surrounds a tiny seed.
These achenes also make strawberries relatively high in fiber. According to the Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition, one-half cup of strawberries supplies more fiber than a slice of whole wheat bread, and more than 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
The cultivated strawberry is a hybrid of two different parent species. Because they are hybrids, cultivated strawberries are often able to adapt to extreme weather conditions and environments. While California and Florida are the largest producers, strawberries are grown in all 50 states. Strawberries are a significant crop in Pennsylvania, but they have a relatively short season.
According to Carolyn Beinlich of Triple B Farms, a local pick-your-own berry farm in Monongahela, Pennsylvania’s ideal strawberry season lasts three and one-half weeks. The plants form their fruit buds in the fall, so adequate moisture at that time is vital.
Since October 1996 was a rainy month, Beinlich is looking forward to a bountiful strawberry crop this season. The recipe shown here is among Beinlich’s favorites for celebrating the strawberry season. For more information about Triple B Farms, call 258-3557. Lynn Parrucci is program coordinator, and Amy Eubanks is a research assistant, at the Science Center’s Kitchen Theater.
Botanist Sue Thompson of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, also contributed to this article. *** Visit the Kitchen Theater at Carnegie Science Center to learn more about the science of cooking, and get a taste of what we’re cooking and a recipe to take home.
1 quart strawberries, washed and drained well, stems removed 3_4 cup white sugar 11_2 Tablespoons cornstarch 1 1/2 cups water 1 3-ounce package strawberry gelatin 1 9-inch baked pie shell
Boil sugar, cornstarch and water until clear (about 10 minutes). Mix well with strawberries and spoon into pie shell. Refrigerate three hours. Top with whipped cream if desired, and serve. Carolyn Beinlich of Triple B Farms will present a cooking demonstration on strawberries at the Science Center’s Kitchen Theater Sunday, June 1, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
How do you tell if it is a Wild Strawberry?
How to identify – Wild strawberry has glossy, trefoil leaves with toothed edges and hairy undersides; white flowers with five petals and a golden centre; and distinctive, heart-shaped red fruits with tiny seeds on the outside.
What are white strawberries?
What Is a White Strawberry? – No, they are not unripe strawberries. White strawberries are what the name suggests—strawberries that just happen to white, not red. White strawberries have red seeds and green stems, but they’re lacking the ruby red luster of the traditional fruit.
What are wild strawberries called?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fragaria vesca | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade : | Tracheophytes |
| Clade : | Angiosperms |
| Clade : | Eudicots |
| Clade : | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Fragaria |
| Species: | F. vesca |
| Binomial name | |
| Fragaria vesca L. |
Fragaria vesca, commonly called the wild strawberry, woodland strawberry, Alpine strawberry, Carpathian strawberry or European strawberry, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the rose family that grows naturally throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, and that produces edible fruits. The Latin specific epithet vesca means “thin, feeble”.
What does wild strawberry taste like?
Wild strawberries are sweet and aromatic with a gentle acidity. Their flavor is more floral and concentrated than that of regular strawberries.
Why do my strawberries taste like perfume?
Old strawberries can get boozy – In the meantime, you might notice an alcohol-y flavor in older strawberries. That happens because cells inside of the strawberry, still living and breathing, can’t get the oxygen they need to keep running the strawberry engine (Yep, oxygen.
The strawberry plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen for daytime photosynthesis, but takes in oxygen for round-the-clock respiration). So, they resort to no-oxygen-required fermentation as a backup energy source. Fermentation produces alcohol. A high internal alcohol content can make a strawberry taste like a vodka shot.
As strawberries age, they also give up some of their best stuff. So, you’ll get less Vitamin C from a strawberry like the ones pictured here, but with fiber and other components, it won’t be a complete nutritional wasteland. So, give it an assessing nibble and then make an informed choice.
Cecilia N. Nunes, Ph.D. Associate Professor. Food Quality Laboratory. Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology. University of South Florida Emily Therese Cloyd. Botanist What’s in your strawberries? Simon Cotton. Education in Chemistry. Royal Society of Chemistry. A methodology for assessing the quality of fruit and vegetables. Doctoral Thesis. Azodanlou, Ramin. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.2001. Gain and Loss of Fruit Flavor Compounds Produced by Wild and Cultivated Strawberry Species, Asaph Aharoni, Ashok P. Giri, Francel W.A. Verstappen, Cinzia M. Bertea, Robert Sevenier, Zhongkui Sun, Maarten A. Jongsma, Wilfried Schwab, Harro J. Bouwmeester. November 2004. The Plant Cell. American Society of Plant Biologists Fermentation. Britannica. Fruit Quality, Fermentation Products, and Activities of Associated Enzymes During Elevated CO2 Treatment of Strawberry Fruit at High and Low Temperatures. Jianzhi Jenny Zhang and Christopher B. Watkins. Cornell University. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science.2005. Abscisic acid and sucrose regulate tomato and strawberry fruit ripening through the abscisic acid‐stress‐ripening transcription factor. Plant Biotechnology Journal.2016 Oct; 14(10): 2045–2065. Haifeng Jia, Songtao Jiu, Cheng Zhang, Chen Wang, Pervaiz Tariq, Zhongjie Liu, Baoju Wang, Liwen Cui, and Jinggui Fang Metabolic Processes in Harvested Products. Author: Kay. Accessed via the University of Florida website.
Strawberries give you that sinking feeling?
How can you tell the difference between mock strawberries and wild strawberries?
By Wendy Diaz, EMGV Last year, I noticed a spreading wildflower around the base of my beautyberry bushes ( Callicarpa Americana ) in a perennial bed along the south side of my house that I originally thought was Wild Strawberry 1 ( Fragaria virginiana ). It appeared amongst my creeping Jenny ( Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’), which I was using as a ground cover. 
Mock Strawberry colony of plants covering ground of ornamental flower bed. Photo by Wendy Diaz on May 6, 201 9 This year, it has taken over the bed and migrated into the lawn and even the aggressive creeping Jenny has lost its battle with this plant, which now covers every plant in the bed that isn’t higher than five inches.
A lesson that I should have learned a long time ago if the gardener ignores a few weeds in the garden, the gardener risks bigger issues in the future. The culprit, as it turns out, is a perennial weed commonly called Mock or Indian Strawberry ( Duchesnea indica ) 2,3 and not the native wildflower, Wild Strawberry 4,
The relatively sudden appearance of this plant in my yard is likely the result of birds eating drupes elsewhere and spreading them to my yard 2, 
Creeping Jenny has been covered by Mock Strawberry in ornamental bed. Photo taken by Wendy Diaz on May 6, 2019 Mock Strawberry ( Duchesnea indica ) Mock strawberry is an herbaceous perennial plant of a height between three and eight inches and spreads by runners or hairy stolons 3, 5 into large colonies of plants over time.
Each plant consists of small trifoliate basal leaves with long petioles that develop from a root crown 2, Each leaflet is about one inch across and elliptical with rounded toothed lobes 5, Its five-petal yellow flowers of about 0.5-inch diameter appear in spring and develop into tiny edible red tasteless fruit or drupes that are held upright 2,
Small red seeds form on the bumpy surface of the fruit. It prefers moist soils and partial sunlight and can adapt to regular mowing because of its low growing habit 2, It was introduced as an ornamental plant from south Asia. 
Five-petal yellow flower of the Mock Strawberry. Photo taken by Wendy Diaz on June 20, 2019 
Trifoliate basal leaves and red fruit or drupes of Mock Strawberry. Photo taken by Wendy Diaz on May 6, 2019 Control To help reduce Mock Strawberry lawn encroachment, it is recommended that one improve surface drainage, aerate when needed and conduct infrequent watering 5,
If the gardener is interested in chemical control, the recommendation for both pre-emergence and postemergence control formulation is provided in detail on the NC State TurfFiles website 5, In my perennial bed I have decided to control it by hand weeding and mulch. Comparison to Wild Strawberry Wild Strawberry or Scarlet Strawberry can make a desirable ground cover in woodland gardens with some wildlife value 1, 4 and it can control erosion on slopes.
Mock Strawberry is easily distinguishable from the native Wild Strawberry because its flower is yellow and the Wild Strawberry has a white flower. Other differences include lower growing and smaller leaves of the Mock Strawberry and the drupes are erect.
- The Wild Strawberry drupes tend to hang downward and the teeth on the leaf edges are sharp-pointed rather than rounded.
- Best of all, the fruit of the Wild Strawberry is juicy and with a pleasant sweet-tart taste whereas the Mock Strawberry is bland with a dry texture.
- Your yard may not have ideal conditions for Wild Strawberry as a ground cover but nevertheless cultural control of Mock Strawberry is more desirable than letting it takeover your ornamental beds and crowding out more desirable lower growing plants.
References
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=291715&isprofile=0&=
2. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/mock_strawberry.htm 3. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/duchesnea-indica/ 4. https://www.ncwildflower.org/plant_galleries/details/fragaria-virginiana 5. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/indian-mock-strawberry or https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/indian-mock-strawberry/
Where do wild strawberries grow UK?
About – If you spot miniature, juicy red strawberries on the grassy banks of limestone and chalk downlands, open woodland, scrubland and railway cuttings, the chances are you are looking at a Wild Strawberry plant. Not actually the ancestor of commercial strawberries, the Wild strawberry does have an excellent flavour.
Where can I find wild strawberries in the UK?
Sometimes difficult to spot, Wild Strawberry is a native tiny fruit, which is a different species to those we see in the shop. It often grows on woodland clearings and grassland, spreading quickly and low to the ground thanks to its long rooting runners.
How to tell the difference between wild strawberries and strawberries?
Mock Strawberries vs. Wild Strawberries – Getty Images (2) Reddit user u/KodaKodama posted a picture asking about mock strawberries. Here are the main things you should look out for:
Mock strawberries have yellow flowers while wild strawberries have white or slightly pink ones. Mock strawberries grow upwards while wild strawberries grow down. They may be difficult to spot among the leaves. Mock strawberries have a bumpy texture while wild strawberries have a nearly flat surface, with seeds that give a small amount of texture. This is one of the most obvious tells. Mock strawberries taste like close to nothing, They’re watery, bland and seem to lack any flavor at all. Wild strawberries, on the other hand, have that strawberry taste that we know and love.