Indian strawberry
Potentilla indica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A creeping herb. The leaves have stalks. They are alternate. There are leafy structures at the base of the leaf stalk. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets do not have stalks. They are 1-2.5 cm long by 1-1.8 cm wide. They have teeth and are hairy. The middle leaflet is larger than the others. The flowers have stalks. The flowers are yellow and occur singly. The fruit is round, red and succulent. See Duchesnia indica

There are about 500 Potentilla species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 500-2600 m altitude. They grow in moist places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,Reunion, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. They are watery and with little flavour.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Bada mewa, Bhuin ainselu, Da zamki toot, Kakyen khujin laba, Keppu annu, Mock strawberry, Punjakha, Saladren, Shanzi-yaing, Shemei

Synonyms

Fragaria indica Andrews; Duchesnea fragiformis Smith; Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem.; Potentilla denticulosa Seringe; Potentilla wallichiana Seringe; not Delile ex Lehmann; and others