Native Plant Database

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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn (Smoky Mt. N. P., TN)

Fragaria virginiana Duchesne

Virginia strawberry, Wild strawberry

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: FRVI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Virginia strawberry or wild strawberry is a ground-hugging plant rising from a fibrous, perennial root system. Hairy leaf petioles, up to 6 in. long, each bear a single trifoliate leaf. The hairy flower stalk gives rise to a loose cluster of small, five-petaled flowers followed by tasty, wild strawberries.

Found in patches in fields and dry openings, this plant produces the finest, sweetest, wild strawberry. The edible portion of the strawberry is actually the central portion of the flower (receptacle) which enlarges greatly with maturity and is covered with the embedded, dried, seed-like fruit. Cultivated Strawberries are hybrids developed from this native species and the South American one. The similar Wood Strawberry (F. vesca) has seed-like fruit on the surface, not embedded, and sepals that point backwards.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Fruit Color: Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AK , AZ , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NV , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Nf. & e. Que. to Man., s. to GA & OK
Native Habitat: Fields; prairies; woodland edges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Variable. Tolerant of moderately acid soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Berries attract wildlife.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Gray Hairstreak

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Fragaria virginiana is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Grizzled Skipper
(Pyrgus centaureae)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Gray Hairstreak
(Strymon melinus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Seed germination is poor. Vegetative propagation, by separating rooted plantlets in spring or early summer or by stolon internode cuttings, is an effective means of increase.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Stratification enhances germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
A Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Fragaria virginiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Fragaria virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fragaria virginiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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