Indian strawberry, Tibetan strawberry
Fragaria nubicola

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small plant. It has long runners that root at the nodes. It has softly silky haired leaves. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaves have long stalks. The leaves arise from the rootstock. The leaflets are oval and 2.5-4 cm long. They have deep coarse teeth. The flowering stems are 5-10 cm long. The flowers are white and only a few occur. They are 1.5-2.5 cm across. There are 5 petals. They are broadly oval. The fruit are about 1 cm wide and red. They have little taste.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1600-4000 m altitude. It grows in open grassland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The rhizome is used as a tea substitute.

Fruit are sold. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, rhizome - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

A long ca long, Baley bashu, Ban, aakhre, Bhi-kafal, Bhui aiselo, Bhuin ainselu, Bhuinkafal, Bri-rta-sa-'zin, Budimewa, Bumbra, Buti, Cha-los-pa, Chhilum, Dita-sazin, Gande kafal, Gan-kaphal, Ghra strawberry, Jal bamun, Jal bunonoo, Jangli gonch, Kida- bhumla, Kunchi, Lahare kafal, Mewa, Mukbursa, Sa-mrep, Saohaldong, Sa palaha, Sazin, Selem, Shagaltang, Tama tinsek, Xi bei xia jiu

Synonyms

Fragaria vesca var. nubicola Hook. f.; Potentilla nubicola (Lindl. ex Hook.f.) Mabb.;