Appalachian barren strawberry
Waldsteinia fragarioides

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Waldsteinia fragarioides is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 6in) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Moist or dry upland conifer forests, mixed hardwood and pine woodlands, thickets, clearings and fields.

Native to eastern North America, from Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and Maine south to Indiana and Pennsylvania and as far south as North Carolina in the mountains.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

Native American ethnobotany: The Iroquois take a compound decoction of the plants as a blood remedy, and apply a poultice of the smashed plants to snakebites (Herrick, JW, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis,).

Other

Rating: 3

Groundcover. A good medium to high density groundcover that will work in a dry or shady spot. Edging or Groundcover for the Perennial Border or Rock Garden. Woodland gardens. Andrenid bees (Andrena spp.) have been observed to visit the flowers for nectar and/or pollen; it is likely that other small bees and other small insects visit the flowers as well. It has been reported that White-tailed Deer avoid browsing on the foliage.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

An evergreen strawberry-like mat forming perennial wildflower. The fruit is neither fleshy nor edible at maturity. Prefers partial sunlight to light shade, more or less mesic (requiring a moderate amount of moisture) conditions, and soil containing rocky material, clay, loam, or humus. Will tolerate almost any well drained soil. The soil pH should be moderately acidic to neutral (5.5–7.0). This plant dislikes hot summer weather. Bloom Color: Yellow. Bloom Time: Apr to Jun. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length .

Propagating it: Clump Division, Seeds.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-7

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Barren strawberry

Synonyms

W. fragarioides subsp. fragarioides. W. fragarioides var. fragarioides