Fragarria virginiana
Wild Strawberry
Description: herbaceous perennial; spreads by horizontal runners. Wild strawberry is a ground hugging plant rising from a fibrous root system. The hairy flower stalk produces a cluster of small, white, five-petaled flowers followed by small but very tasty strawberries. Its leaves have toothed edges. The red fruits are covered with seeds.
Place of origin: North America
Urban habitat: un-mowed lawns, meadows
Ecological function: food for wildlife
History: Fragarria virginiana this is one of two species of strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern, domesticated strawberry. Indigenous peoples throughout North America picked and ate the savory fruit of this plant and used it medicinally. The Winnebago and Blackfoot tribes also made a tea with an infusion of the young leaves of this plant.