Uncultivated

Fragarria virginiana

Wild Strawberry

Description:  herbaceous perennial; spreads by horizontal runners.  Wild strawberry is a ground hugging plant rising from a fibrous root system. The hairy flower stalk produces a cluster of small, white, five-petaled flowers followed by small but very tasty strawberries. Its leaves have toothed edges. The red fruits are covered with seeds.

Place of origin: North America

Urban habitat: un-mowed lawns, meadows

Ecological function: food for wildlife

History: Fragarria virginiana this is one of two species of strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern, domesticated strawberry. Indigenous peoples throughout North America picked and ate the savory fruit of this plant and used it medicinally. The Winnebago and Blackfoot tribes also made a tea with an infusion of the young leaves of this plant.