Practical
Plants

Fragaria chiloensis

Beach Strawberry

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

None known

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[5][9][1][4][8]. Large, sweet and succulent with a delicate flavour[4]. A delicious treat[K]. The berries can be used to make jams, preserves etc[8]. A tea can be made from the leaves[8].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The plant is antiseptic, astringent, emmenagogue, galactogogue and odontalgic[2]. It has been used to regulate the menstrual cycle[2]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been used to treat burns[8].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Odontalgic

Material uses

Plants spread by means of runners and can be grown as a ground cover[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
S. America to N. America.
Habitat
Grows in scrub near the coast from Chile to western N. America[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. The seed can take 4 weeks or more to germinate. The seedlings are very small and slow-growing at first, but then grow rapidly. Prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out during the summer. Division of runners, preferably done in July/August in order to allow the plants to become established for the following years crop[6]. They can also be moved in the following spring if required, though should not then be allowed to fruit in their first year. The runners can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

Prefers a fertile, well-drained, moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[9][6]. Tolerates semi-shade though fruit production will be reduced. Grows best near the coast[9]. Plants like a mulch of pine or spruce leaves[3]. Cultivated for its edible fruit in the Andes[11]. This species, along with F. virginiana, is probably a parent of the cultivated strawberries[10]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

    ↩

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  12. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

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