Description
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), also known as Virginia Strawberry or Scarlet Strawberry, is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial native to North America. Typically reaching heights of 4 to 7 inches and spreading 12 to 24 inches wide, it forms rosettes of trifoliate, coarsely toothed, bright green leaves. In late spring to early summer, the plant produces small, five-petaled white flowers with yellow centers, which are followed by tiny, bright red berries about 0.5 inches in size. These berries are renowned for their sweet-tart flavor and are adorned with small seeds embedded in shallow pits on their surface.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Wild Strawberry prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils and is adaptable to various conditions, including prairies, meadows, fields, woodland edges, and hillsides. It spreads indefinitely by runners (stolons) that root at the tips, forming large colonies over time, making it effective for ground cover and erosion control.
Ecologically, Fragaria virginiana supports specialized bees such as Andrena (Micrandrena) melanochroa and attracts numerous butterflies and other pollinators to its flowers. Its berries provide a food source for mammals and birds, while the foliage offers habitat benefits.
Historically, this species is one of the two wild strawberries hybridized to create the modern garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), contributing desirable traits like flavor and adaptability.
