Wood Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
From Nearctica
Alien: Native of Europe.
Identification: A low plant spreading by runners. Flowers white with 5 broad petals and numerous green-yellow stamens. Flowers alone or in small clusters on flower stalks separate from the leaves. Fruit a red berry. Fruit seed located on the surface of the fruit, not embedded in pits. Stems and leaves slightly hairy. Leaves on separate petioles arising from a single base with the flower stems. Flower clusters distinctly higher than the leaves. Leaves compound with 3 coarsely toothed leaflets, leaflets narrow and slightly tapered toward the apex. Plant 3 to 6 inches in height.
Distribution: Throughout most of North America except for the southeastern United States.
Habitat: Wood Strawberry is found in rocky woods, pastures, and old fields.
Flowering period: May to August.
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Similar Species: Wood Strawberry is similar to Common Strawberry. The flowers of Common Strawberry are located at about the same height as the leaves. The fruit seeds are embedded in small pits, not on the surface. The leaflets of Common Strawberry are narrower and more tapering than those of Wood Strawberry.