Practical
Plants

Fragaria nubicola

Indian Strawberry

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.2 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw[5]. A very pleasant strawberry flavour[K].

Plant part
Fruit

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 juice of the plant is used in the treatment of profuse menstruation[5]. The unripe fruit is chewed to treat blemishes on the tongue[5].

Product or use
Astringent

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to western China.
Habitat
Open grassland at elevations of 1600 - 4000 metres in Nepal[5]. Meadows on mountain slopes, forests in valleys and forest edge at elevations of 2500 - 3900 metres[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
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[2]. 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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors in many areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a fertile, well-drained, moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[2]. Tolerates semi-shade though fruit production will be reduced[6]. Likes a mulch of pine or spruce leaves[1][3].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  4. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  5. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Simmons A. E. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-7607-1

    ↩

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