Uses
Toxic parts
None known
Edible uses
Notes
Fruit - raw, cooked or made into preserves[1][2][3][4]. Sweet and succulent. An exquisite flavour but the fruits are usually very small and fiddly[5][6], though they can be up to 10mm in diameter[7]. Rich in iron and potassium, the fruit is an excellent addition to the diet of people suffering from anaemia[8]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[9][10]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[4]. The fresh or dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[11][12][4][13]. A delicious drink, it is ideal for children[8]. The root has been used as a coffee substitute in India[14].
Fruit
Leaves
Material uses
The fruit is used as a tooth cleaner[15]. The fresh fruit removes stains from teeth if it is allowed to remain for about 5 minutes[15]. The fruit is also used cosmetically in skin-care creams[11]. It tones and whitens the skin, combats wrinkles, lightens freckles, soothes sunburn and whitens the teeth[8].
Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The leaves and the fruit are mildly astringent, diuretic, laxative and tonic[15][16][17][18]. The leaves are mainly used, though the fruits are an excellent food to take when feverish and are also effective in treating rheumatic gout[15]. A slice of strawberry is also excellent when applied externally to sunburnt skin[15]. A tea made from the leaves is a blood tonic and has been used as a treatment for diarrhoea in adults and children[17][13]. It is used in the treatment of chilblains[5] and also as an external wash on sunburn[17]. A poultice can be made from the powdered leaves mixed in oil, it is used to treat open sores[13]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[19]. 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[8]. The roots are astringent and diuretic[15][17]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and chronic dysentery[15][8][13]. Externally it is used to treat chilblains and as a throat gargle[8]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[19].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
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[7]. 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.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Fragaria vesca. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
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].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Fragaria vesca. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Fragaria vesca.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
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References
- ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-01-01)
- ? 2.02.1 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
- ? 3.03.1 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-01-01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-01-01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.3 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
- ? 6.06.1 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
- ? 7.07.17.27.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-01-01)
- ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.8 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-01-01)
- ? 9.09.1 Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-01-01)
- ? 10.010.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-01-01)
- ? 11.011.111.211.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-01-01)
- ? 12.012.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-01-01)
- ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-01-01)
- ? 14.014.1 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. (1986-01-01)
- ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.515.615.715.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-01-01)
- ? 16.016.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-01-01)
- ? 17.017.117.217.317.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-01-01)
- ? 18.018.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-01-01)
- ? 19.019.119.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-01-01)
- ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-01-01)
