Fragaria viridis
Green 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 or cooked[5][1]. The fruit are greenish-tinged with red and are sweet and succulent with a rich musky pineapple-like flavour[2]. Absolutely delicious, though they are not produced very freely[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.
None known
Material uses
An excellent ground cover plant, spreading vigorously by means of surface stolons and forming a dense carpet[K]. It grows well amongst shrubs but can out-compete smaller plants[K].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Europe.
- Habitat
- Woods and banks[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[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 when plants grow in such a position. This species is closely related to F. vesca[3]. Plants are sometimes dioecious. In this case, male and female plants will be needed if fruit and seed is required.
References
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
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00