Indian strawberry is a non-native plant in the Rosaceae (rose) family that is often found in lawns and disturbed areas. The fruit is edible but bland and dry. The flowers are often confused with those of Potentilla species and fruits resemble those of Fragaria species. The plant spreads by stolons and is tolerant of mowing.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
3/4 to 1&3/4 inch 3-lobed leaves. The upper leaflet surfaces are medium to dark green and hairless. They have appressed hairs and form new plantlets at their tips. The plant has a trailing habit
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
¾" across single yellow flowers, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, numerous stamens with yellow anthers
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Bright red drupes are about ½" across and are spheroid or ovoid in shape. There are small red seeds scattered across its bumpy surface. They have a bland flavor and dry texture.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Afghanistan to Russian Far East and Malesia
Distribution
Introduced to Eastern to mid and coastal North America
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Drupe
Uses (ethnobotany)
A poultice of the crushed leaves is used to treat skin ailments such as eczema
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Garden tags
#dainty #miniature #red fruits #edible fruits #spring interest #yellow flowers #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #lawn weed #disturbed areas #perennial #hortcontest