Sand strawberry, Beach strawberry, Pine strawberry
Fragaria chiloensis

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A small herb that keeps growing from year to year. The rootstocks are stout, thick and scaly. It grows 15 cm high and spreads 50 cm across. The fruit can be red, white or yellow. The leaves are short and thick and hairy underneath. The flowers are on long slender stalks. The flowers have 5 petals. The flowers are white. The fruit are red and edible. They can be 2-3 cm long.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows naturally in coastal areas in cool locations. In Hawaii they grow between 1,200-2,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. In Chile it grows from sea level to over 2,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Canada, Chile (country/location of origin), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Hawaii, Indochina, North America, Pacific, Peru, SE Asia, South America, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or stewed. They are used in cakes and jams. The leaves can be used for tea. The fresh leaves are put into boiling water.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chilean strawberry, Dau-tay, Fresa, Frutilla, Frutilla silvestre, Ilahuen, Kellen, Pineapple strawberry, Quellen

Synonyms

Fragaria vesca var. chiloensis L.; Potentilla chiloensis (L.) Mabb.; and others