Indian Strawberry Potentilla indica
Previously known as:
- Duchesnea indica
- Phonetic Spelling
- poh-ten-TILL-uh IN-dih-kuh
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Potentilla
- Species:
- indica
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A poultice of the crushed leaves is used to treat skin ailments such as eczema
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Afghanistan to Russian Far East and Malesia
- Distribution:
- Introduced to Eastern to mid and coastal North America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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 To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- ¾" across single yellow flowers, consisting of 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, numerous stamens with yellow anthers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- 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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
