Alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca, Sp. Pl.: 494 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 494 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Fragaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. America to Guatemala, Macaronesia, Europe to Siberia and Xinjiang

Description

The Alpine strawberry, known scientifically as Fragaria vesca, is a widely recognized plant celebrated not only for its flavorful fruit but also for its historical and geographical significance. Described initially by botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” this little perennial has a rich heritage that spans across continents.

Belonging to the Rosaceae family, which includes other well-known fruits such as apples and plums, the Alpine strawberry thrives in a variety of environments. Its natural habitat extends from North America to Guatemala, covering a diverse range of climates and ecosystems. Further afield, it can be found in Macaronesia, a collection of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, and across much of Europe, stretching as far east as Siberia and the Xinjiang region of China.

This hardy plant is prized for its adaptability and resilience. It grows well in both managed gardens and wild settings, often adorning forest edges, meadows, and even urban parks with its bright, dainty berries. The fruit of the Alpine strawberry is smaller than the commercial strawberries commonly found in supermarkets, but it is bursting with an intense, sweet flavor that makes it a favorite among foragers and specialty gardeners.

In addition to its culinary uses, Fragaria vesca has played a role in traditional medicine and folklore. Various cultures have utilized different parts of the plant for their purported health benefits, leveraging its leaves, roots, and berries for a variety of remedies. The plant’s enchanting fragrance and delicate flowers also make it a popular choice for ornamental purposes.

Overall, the Alpine strawberry is a plant that combines utility, charm, and a sense of history. Its widespread presence from the forests of North America to the rugged terrains of Siberia is a testament to its enduring appeal and ecological versatility. Whether savored as a delectable treat or appreciated for its aesthetic qualities, Fragaria vesca continues to be a beloved species among botanists, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: alpine strawberry, european strawberry, wild strawberry, woodland strawberry, wood strawberry
Dan: skov-jordbær
Deu: wald-erdbeere, walderdbeere
Swe: ahomansikka, smultron, månadssmultron, skogssmultron
Fin: ahomansikka
Nld: bosaardbei
Fra: fraisier commun, fraisier des bois, fraisier sauvage
Spa: fresa silvestre, fresal común
Nor: jordbær
Nob: markjordbær
Nno: markjordbær
Por: morango, morangueiro, morangueiro-bravo
Sme: gieddemuorji, gáiccamuorji, meahcceeanamuorji
Cym: llwyn mefus gwyllt, llwyn mefus gwylltion, mefus gwyllt, mefus rhuddion, mefusen, mefusen y goedwig, syfi cochion, syfïen
En: Alpine strawberry, Woodland strawberry, European strawberry, Wild strawberry, European wild strawberry, Wood strawberry, Адам джилек, Alpine Strawberries, California strawberry, Garden strawberry
Sq: Dredhëza e malit
Ar: توت الأرض المزروع
Hy: Գետնամորի անտառային
Az: Meşə çiyələyi
Ba: Ҡайын еләге
Eu: Marrubi arrunt
Be: Суніцы лясныя
Bg: Горска ягода
Ca: Maduixera
Zh: Ye cao mei, 野草莓
Hr: Šumska jagoda
Cs: Jahodník obecný
Da: Skov-Jordbær
Nl: Bosaardbei, Bos-Aardbei
Eo: Arbara fragujo
Et: Metsmaasikas
Fi: Ahomansikka
Fr: Fraisier commun, Fraisier des bois, Fraisier sauvage, Ti fraisier, Fraise des bois
Gl: Amorodeira
De: Walderdbeere, Wald-Erdbeere
El: Φράουλα, Χαμοκέρασο
Hu: Erdei szamóca
Is: Villijarðarber, Jarðarber
Ga: Sú talún fhiáin
It: Fragola, Fragola di bosco, Fragola comune
Ja: Ezo-hebi-ichigo, Ezo-no-hebi-ichigo, Besuka-ichigo
Lv: Meža zemene
Lt: Paprastoji žemuogė
Lb: Bëschäerdbier
Mk: Шумска јагода
Se: Gieddemuorji, Gáiccamuorji, Meahcceeanamuorji
No: Markjordbær, Jordbær
Nb: Markjordbær
Nn: Markjordbær
Os: Хъæддаг æрыскъæф
Fa: توت‌فرنگی وحشی
Pl: Poziomka pospolita
Pt: Morangueiro-bravo, Morango, Morangueiro, Morango-silvestre
Ro: Frag
Ru: Земляника лесная
Sr: Шумска јагода
Sk: Jahoda obyčajná
Es: Fresal común, Fresa silvestre, Fresa salvaje, Navadni jagodnjak, Fresal de los bosques, Fresal silvestre, Fresa, Frutilla
Sv: Smultron, Ahomansikka, Månadssmultron, Skogssmultron
Tt: Урман каен җиләге
To: Situlōpeli
Tr: Orman çileği
Uk: Суниці лісові
Cy: Llwyn Mefus Gwyllt, Llwyn Mefus Gwylltion, Mefus Gwyllt, Mefus Rhuddion, Mefusen, Mefusen y Goedwig, Syfi Cochion, Syfïen
Fy: Wylde ierdbei

Synonyms

• Potentilla vesca ((L.) Scop.)
• Fragaria vesca var. calycina (Jungner)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Texas (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 13, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2019 by Dora Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by May Meggie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 7, 2018 by Nicolás Fuentes (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by annemieke van dongen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2019 by Tere Sechar (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Yuki_Keylin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2019 by Hamburg Discover (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Murana Stefano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Murana Stefano (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 6, 2019 by john johnathon.t.Boerkamp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Hugo Lebugle (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by Claire Couvidat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Simon der Schmied (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3029817)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30074127-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Fragaria vesca L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 5