Creeping low to the ground by Little Crum Creek, “Indian strawberry” started flowering in April and fruiting in May.
The common name for Duchesnea indica might conjure thoughts of Native Americans gathering fruit in the Crum Creek watershed long before European settlement.
But “Indian strawberry” actually refers to the plant’s Asian origin.
It therefore shares a history with more recent residents of our streams, including knotweed, honeysuckle, wineberry, and multiflora rose. Each was introduced from Asia.
Indian strawberry’s delicious-looking fruit might also mislead. To many, it tastes rather bland.
Some call it “mock strawberry” to distinguish it from the native, and much sweeter, “wild strawberry” (Fragaria virginiana).
It was this native strawberry that the Lenape knew as a useful food and medicine. They called it Wtehimall.
I haven’t spotted any of the native variety yet, so let’s keep an eye out for its white-petaled flowers and tiny red fruit.
July 29, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Scott, Thanks for identifying the ‘Indian Strawberry”. I have this species in my garden bed and wasn’t sure of the species. It is quite a spreading plant…
July 31, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Yeah, it has a lot of competition to keep it in check along LCC, but I hear it can be a problem in lawns & gardens if unwanted.
June 27, 2011 at 6:25 pm
I saw one of these today and knew what it was because of this post! Thanks!
June 27, 2011 at 7:14 pm
How cool! I saw several today too.
June 8, 2011 at 8:04 am
Interesting how so many of the plants we see come from Eurasia…that’s a pretty one!
June 14, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Yes … it’s quite cosmopolitan out there, isn’t it?