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.
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Where is the best place to find wild strawberries?
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.
How do you find wild strawberries?
Common Pests and Plant Diseases – Wild strawberries are vulnerable to many of the same insect pests that damage cultivars. These include slugs, thrips, borers, caterpillars, and plant bugs. Birds can fly off with your entire crop or peck holes in berries causing them to rot.
Organic preventives like diatomaceous earth, biological sprays, and commercial products help deter insect pests. Use bird netting during ripening to prevent access to your strawberries. Disease resistance is better for wild strawberries but they can develop strawberry leaf spot. Small reddish-purple spots appear on leaves and as sunken dark spots on fruits.
Provide good air circulation in the strawberry patch and remove weeds and dead or diseased leaves. In severe cases apply fungicide. When using any treatment on the plants while they are bearing fruit, choose the least toxic method possible. FAQ
- Can you eat wild strawberries that grow in your yard? If the plant has white flowers, it is edible. A weedy plant known as mock strawberry has a yellow bloom but also produces a small berry similar to a strawberry. Mock strawberry is hard, dry, tasteless, and not considered edible.
- Is wild strawberry plant invasive? Wild strawberries are not considered invasive. However, keep in mind that they do spread and can cover an area when given ideal growing conditions.
- How do you identify a wild strawberry plant? Wild strawberry looks very similar to strawberry cultivars grown in the garden, but you will find it in clumps or patches in untended places like along roadsides and in open meadows. The flowers are white and the berries are rounder, smaller, and sweeter than cultivated strawberries.
What are the black dots on strawberries?
What is it and where is it found? Strawberry black spot is an economically important disease of strawberries caused by the fungus Colletotrichum acutatum. The fungus can remain unobserved in strawberry plants until the crucial fruiting period.
What is the best tasting wild strawberry?
Looking for those tiny gourmet strawberries that can’t be bought in a store? You’re likely searching for Alpine Strawberries! Alpine strawberries ( Fragaria vesca ) are a tiny type of strawberry known for their delicious, aromatic wild-strawberry taste.
They are flavorful, luxurious, and extremely cute! Unlike their larger grocery-store counterparts, alpine and woodland berries haven’t been bred for size. These little beauties are all about the flavor! Alpine strawberries aren’t exactly a high-production crop, but they certainly are well worth growing in your garden.
Read on to learn all about alpine strawberries!
Where is the best place for strawberry seeds?
Growing Strawberry Plants from Strawberry Seeds – Growing strawberry plants from seed is more difficult than simply buying strawberry plants. But, it can be much more rewarding as well. Once you have a strawberry plant growing, refer to our Growing Strawberries page for guidance on how to successfully produce a strawberry crop.
Growing strawberries from seed, of course, begins with selection of your preferred Strawberry Varieties, Once you have selected the strawberry cultivar that is right for your garden and purchase the strawberry seeds, you are ready to plant. Be aware, however, that strawberry seeds from most hybrid cultivars will not reproduce true to form.
Alpine varieties and heirloom seeds usually will (along with a few of the new F1 cultivars), so factor that in when planting strawberry seeds. Many strawberry seeds need to be cold treated to encourage germination. If your selected seeds require this, fear not.
- It is easy.
- Simply wrap your seeds, put them in an airtight container, and place them in a freezer.
- This simulates winter conditions, and the warming period lets the seed know it is time to come to life.
- After keeping the strawberry seeds below freezing for two to four weeks, remove the seeds from the freezer.
Leave them in the jar or container as they gradually warm up to room temperature. Once your strawberry seeds are at room temperature and are ready to plant, you need to create a hospitable place for your seeds to begin their journey to planthood. A seed tray works well.
- Obtain a seed tray and prepare it.
- A good mix for starting strawberry seeds is 3 parts peat to 1 part organic-rich soil.
- Spread this out in your seed tray to a depth of about one half of an inch.
- Moisten the mixture with water until it is uniformly damp.
- Sprinkle your strawberry seeds over the damp mixture and then cover the seeds with a very thin dusting of peat moss.
Ensure that the strawberry seeds are not completely covered and are exposed to light. Keep them indoors in a well-lighted room and in direct sunlight, if possible. In two to three weeks, the strawberry seeds should germinate. Keep the soil moist well-lighted.
- Warmth can help the seeds germinate, so the top of a refrigerator or on a bottom heat pad can be suitable places for germination.
- If the strawberry plant seedlings aren’t in direct sunlight with supplemental light, consider providing additional artificial light.
- A fluorescent shop light or grow light will do the trick.
Position the light source 3 to 4 inches from the seedlings, and raise the light as the strawberry plants grow. If the strawberry seeds sprout too close to each other, thin them when they are between 1 and 2 inches tall, keeping the biggest and most vigorous seedlings.
- Gently transfer the strawberry seedlings to larger containers or pots after they gain their 3rd leaves.
- If weather allows, the strawberry seedlings can be planted directly outside, or the plants in the containers can be replanted outside.
- If the strawberry seeds were started indoors, the young strawberry plants need to be hardened off prior to planting outside.
When the temperature rises into the 50s, begin taking the plants outside in the shade for several hours each day. Gradually increase the time the plants are outdoors, eventually leaving them outside overnight as the temperature allows. Begin moving them into the sun for increasing periods of time to finish the hardening off process prior to planting.