Wild Strawberries in Bloom

Wild Strawberry, Fragaria virginiana

The inches of snow that fell this week did little to stop the march of Spring. The wild strawberries here, as well as my cultivated varieties, are in full bloom. Wild strawberry plants and flowers - as well as the very fine fruit are quite diminutive compared to the cultivated varieties. But fruit? Pure ambrosia. Even the best cultivated varieties pale in comparison.

Here are a few of the wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) blooming here at this time. Be sure to note the flowers are nearly the same height as the leaves. This is one of the identifying characteristics of the more common wild strawberry or Virginia Strawberry, Fragaria virginiana. The other wild strawberry species that is also native throughout much of the United States and Canada is the Woodland Strawberry,  Fragaria vesca. The flowers of that species are held much higher above the leaves. The fruits of both species also have other identifying characteristics - but those pictures will have to come later! Enjoy these pictures of spring!

Wild Strawberry, Fragaria virginiana

 

Don't know how to identify wild strawberries at all? 

The short video included below will show you the key characteristics to look for. They are probably growing closer than you thought!