British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide |
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Wood
Strawberry
(Fragaria vesca)
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The
Wood Strawberry is a perennial of the rose family
that can propagate by its long trailing stems or runners.
- LEAVES:
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grow at the base of the plant
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have 3 toothed leaflets
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green-yellow on the upper surface with a soft hairy
underside
- FLOWERS:
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Wood Strawberry flowers are white with a yellow centre
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3-5 appear on stems that grow above the leaves
- FRUIT:
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fleshy, red berries
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the seeds are buried in the berries
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on stems longer than the leaves
- HABITAT:
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Wood Strawberries grow in low elevations
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south central BC
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Wood Strawberries perfer moist or dry areas
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The Wood Strawberry appears in open areas in forests,
meadows
- FASCINATING
FACTS:
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native peoples throughout BC prized both the wood
and wild strawberries
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the fruit of the Wood Strawberry is dried or eaten
fresh; dried ones used to flavour winter cakes
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a tea was made from Wood Strawberry leaves and could
be used medicinally for diarrhea or gargled for sore
throats. It also used for female complaints.
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To find Wood Strawberries watch for the runners spreading
accross seldom cleared areas, then take a few minutes
to harvest and enjoy one natures great treats
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