Fragaria vesca
Wild Strawberry
a perennial member of the Fragaria genus in the family Rosaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
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, cooked or made into preserves[8][3][1][7]. Sweet and succulent. An exquisite flavour but the fruits are usually very small and fiddly[18][4], though they can be up to 10mm in diameter[9]. Rich in iron and potassium, the fruit is an excellent addition to the diet of people suffering from anaemia[13]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[17][2]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[7]. The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[19][6][7][15]. A delicious drink, it is ideal for children[13]. The root has been used as a coffee substitute in India[12].
- Product or use
- Coffee
- Product or use
- Tea
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
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 leaves and the fruit are mildly astringent, diuretic, laxative and tonic[16][20][10][14]. The leaves are mainly used, though the fruits are an excellent food to take when feverish and are also effective in treating rheumatic gout[16]. A slice of strawberry is also excellent when applied externally to sunburnt skin[16]. A tea made from the leaves is a blood tonic and has been used as a treatment for diarrhoea in adults and children[10][15]. It is used in the treatment of chilblains[18] and also as an external wash on sunburn[10]. A poultice can be made from the powdered leaves mixed in oil, it is used to treat open sores[15]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[11]. The fruits contain salicylic acid and are beneficial in the treatment of liver and kidney complaints, as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and gout[13]. The roots are astringent and diuretic[16][10]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and chronic dysentery[16][13][15]. Externally it is used to treat chilblains and as a throat gargle[13]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[11].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
The fruit is used as a tooth cleaner[16]. The fresh fruit removes stains from teeth if it is allowed to remain for about 5 minutes[16]. The fruit is also used cosmetically in skin-care creams[19]. It tones and whitens the skin, combats wrinkles, lightens freckles, soothes sunburn and whitens the teeth[13].
- Product or use
- Cosmetic
- Product or use
- Dental care
Environment
- Range
- Most of Europe, including Britain, to temperate Asia.
- Habitat
- Woods, grassland and scrub, on basic soils, sometimes becoming locally dominant in wods on calcareous soils[20][5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- 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[9]. 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. Tolerates semi-shade though fruit production will be reduced. Succeeds on acid and alkaline soils. Likes a mulch of pine or spruce leaves. Does well on woodland edges. Plants spread rapidly by means of runners[K].
References
Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00
De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2