This perennial groundcover of the Rose family is a diminutive cousin of garden strawberries. White, starry flowers and flavorful fruits often appear at the same time on the plant. Unlike other native strawberry species, this one has a preference for moist, shady sites. In the wild, it often grows near creeks or streams, and it’s tolerant of most moisture levels except for extremely wet or dry. Although flowering is better in bright conditions, the foliage may become scorched. Woodland strawberry's compact form, scattered flowers, and bright red strawberries make it a charming choice for an edging, groundcover, or container. It also excels in shady areas of the yard, along pathways, between stepping stones, among ferns, and under mature trees and shrubs. 
 
There are three species of native wild strawberries in the US. One way to tell Fragaria vesca apart from Fragaria virginiana is by examining the berries. F. vesca has elongated berries and a bumpy texture due to the seeds sitting on the surface, while F. virginiana has round berries with seeds embedded in the surface. Vesca means “thin, feeble” and probably refers to the slender flower stems. Many people are more familiar with mock strawberry (Potentilla indica), an invasive from India that is now found across the eastern US and southern Canada. To spot the imposter, look for bright yellow flowers and upward-pointing berries that are very round and almost spiky (native berries hang and hide in the foliage). The dry, juiceless texture is a sure sign that you are not eating a real strawberry. Even wildlife tends to avoid these drab fruits. 
 
Woodland strawberry spreads underground by rhizomes and aboveground by stolons to form patches up to 10” tall and 2 feet wide. This species has good disease resistance, but strawberries are susceptible to several diseases, including leaf spot. Strawberry leaf spot is identified by small, round spots on the upper leaf surfaces or fruits that are dark purple to reddish in color.  Severe infections may kill the leaves. To prevent leaf spot, plant in well-drained soil with good air circulation and exposure.  Removing weeds increases air circulation around plants. To prevent the disease from spreading, remove infected leaves before planting new plants and burn the debris. To propagate more plants, dig up and relocate new plants that have rooted from the runners. Do this in early spring just as new growth appears.
 
Native habitats include woods and borders of woods, along trails and roadsides, hillsides, old fields, meadows, and grasslands.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 6-10” tall and 24” wide.
 
Prefers part or full shade. Tolerates full sun. 
 
Adapts to variety of well-drained wet or moist to average soils. 
 
A branching cluster of 2-5 flowers develops at the top of stalks, which are 3-8” long and usually extend beyond the leaves.  Flowers consist of 5 white petals, a central cluster of green-to-yellow pistils, and a ring of stamens with yellow anthers.  Blooming period is from late spring to mid-summer for 1-2 months.  Flowers are followed by ½” red, fleshy receptacles that are conical in shape and scattered with achenes, or seed-like dried fruits that carry their own seeds.  Occasionally, F. vesca produces white strawberries with red achenes.
 
Leaves are basal, thin, and in groups of three.  They are 1-2 ½” long and wide, coarsely toothed, prominently veined, and rounded towards the tip.  
 
Wildlife Value:
Host plant for 71 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including gray hair-streaked butterfly, Isabella tiger moth, The Batman moth, and 5 specialists (drab brown wave, eastern grass tubeworm, grass tubeworm moth, strawberry cutworm, and miranda moth). Fruits are eaten by mammals, turtles, and at least 53 species of birds. Leaves are browsed by some mammals.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Traditionally, the leaves and roots have been used to improve liver function, treat inflammation of the bowel, help with arthritis, and treat sore throats.  The berries have been used as a diuretic and as a remedy for gout.  Some botanists believed wild strawberries could reduce kidney stones.
 
Wild strawberries are loaded with nutrients: vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, proanthocyanins, flavonoids, tannins, and more.  Because they’re smaller than domestic strawberries and tend to rot quickly, they are best used or eaten immediately after picking.  
 
Resources:
CA Native Plant Society: https://calscape.org/Fragaria-vesca-(Woodland-Strawberry)
 
Backyard Ecology video: https://tinyurl.com/4ttad3fm
 
Gardenia: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/fragaria-vesca
 
OSU Plant Pathology: https://plantpath.osu.edu/sites/plantpath/files/imce/images/NativePlants/edited%20Wild%20Strawberry%20Flyer.pdf
 
Scioto Gardens: https://sciotogardens.com/product/fragaria-vesca-1qt-woodland-strawberry/