Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database


Fragaria virginiana var. platypetala (Wild Strawberry)

 

Kingdom

 Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom

 Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision

 Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division

 Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class

 Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass

 Rosidae

Order

 Rosales

Family

 Rosaceae – Rose family

Genus

 Fragaria L. – strawberry

Species

 Fragaria virginiana Duchesne – Virginia strawberry

Subspecies

 Fragaria virginiana Duchesne ssp. platypetala (Rydb.) Staudt – Virginia strawberry

 

Photo credit: Christopher Noll and Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Wisconsin Plants web site (httpwisplants.uwsp.edu)

Similar to the Wood's Strawberry, bluish green top leaves distinguish this species.

With its bright white flowers and delicious fruit, this deciduous, low-growing plant, reaches only 2-5” in height.

Tucked among larger plants, they cover the ground to hold soil, retain moisture and keep youngsters entertained treasure hunting for the delicious berries on warm summer days.

Wild Strawberry is more common on the east side of the Cascades, but it is also found on the western side.

Usually occurring at higher elevations than the other Fragaria species, Wild Strawberry grows on rocky slopes in full sun and often follows the path of rainwater runoff.

It is hardy between USDA zones 4-10.

For a short comparison of northwest native strawberries, click here.

     
Contact:  star@chillirose.com ~ Copyright 2012 © Wallace W. Hansen ~ All rights reserved