Fragaria ovalis
Rocky Mountain Strawberry
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves etc[2]. Small but tasty[1]. The fruit can also be dried for later use[2]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[2].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Tea
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America.
- Habitat
- Coniferous forests in Arizona. Found at 2100 - 3300 metres in the Rockies[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- 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[3]. 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[3]. Tolerates semi-shade though fruit production will be reduced. Used in breeding programmes with F. x ananassa in order to convey winter hardiness and for producing ever-bearing and day-neutral varieties[2].
References
Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5