Indian strawberry (Potentilla indica, P.F.A.Ascherson & K.O.R.Graebner, Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 6(1): 661 (1904))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (Andrews) Th.Wolf

Bibliography: P.F.A.Ascherson & K.O.R.Graebner, Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 6(1): 661 (1904)

Year: 1904

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potentilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: Afghanistan to Russian Far East and Malesia

Description

The Indian strawberry, a fascinating and versatile plant, belongs to the Rosaceae family and carries the scientific name Potentilla indica. Originally described by the renowned botanists P.F.A. Ascherson and K.O.R. Graebner in their seminal work “Syn. Mitteleur. Fl.” published in 1904, it holds a place in botanical history.

Native to a broad range extending from Afghanistan to the Russian Far East and stretching as far south as Malesia, the Indian strawberry thrives in diverse climates and environments. This adaptability has contributed to its spread and the establishment of populations in various regions around the world.

The botanic nomenclature credits the description of the species to Andrews, though it was later attributed to Th. Wolf, who further refined and documented the plant’s characteristics.

Despite its name, the Indian strawberry should not be confused with the common garden strawberry. Unlike the latter, which produces sweet, edible fruits, the Indian strawberry is known for its ornamental value. Its bright yellow flowers and striking red, small, and somewhat tasteless berries add a touch of color to gardens and natural landscapes.

The plant’s robust nature means it can often be found growing in lawns, along roadsides, and in open, disturbed areas. It spreads primarily through runners, making it an effective ground cover but also a potential invasive species in certain regions where it can outcompete local flora.

Whether appreciated for its decorative beauty or studied for its ecological impact, the Indian strawberry represents a noteworthy species within the rich tapestry of the Rosaceae family.

Common Names

Spa: falsa fresa
Eng: false strawberry, indian strawberry, indian-strawberry, mock strawberry, wild strawberry, yellow-flower-strawberry, yellow-flowered strawberry, yellow-strawberry, india mock-strawberry
Deu: indische scheinerdbeere
Dan: indisk jordbær
Fra: fraisier des indes, potentille d’inde, fraisier des indiens
Por: morango-bravo, moranguinho-silvestre
Nld: schijnaardbei
Swe: skensmultron
Cym: llwyn mefus melyn, llwyn mefus melynion, mefusen felen
En: Indian strawberry, Yellow-flowered Strawberry, India mockstrawberry
Cs: Jahodka indická
Nl: Schijnaardbei, Schijnaardbij
Et: India ebamaasikas
Fi: Intianhanhikki
Fr: Fraisier des Indes, Fraisier de Duchesne, Fraisier à fleurs jaunes
De: Indische Schein-Erdbeere, Indische Scheinerdbeere, Scheinerdbeere
Hu: Indiaiszamóca
It: Fragola, Fragola matta
Pt: Falso-morangueiro-da-índia, Morangueiro-de-jardim

Synonyms

• Potentilla durandii (Torr. & A.Gray)
• Fragaria indica (Andrews)
• Fragaria malayana (Roxb.)
• Fragaria arguta (Lindl. ex Hook.f.)
• Duchesnea indica var. major (Makino)
• Potentilla trifida (Lehm.)
• Potentilla denticulosa (Ser.)
• Duchesnea indica var. typica (Makino)
• Duchesnea indica var. microphylla (T.T.Yu & T.C.Ku)
• Potentilla indica var. serrulata (Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla indica var. microphylla ((T.T.Yu & T.C.Ku) H.Ohashi)
• Potentilla indica f. albicaput ((Naruh.) H.Ohashi)
• Fragaria roxburghii (Wight & Arn.)
• Fragaria nilagirica (Zenker)
• Potentilla manipurensis (G.Watt)
• Duchesnea indica f. albocaput (Naruh.)
• Potentilla wallichiana var. ternata (Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla khasiana (C.B.Clarke ex Dikshit & Panigrahi)
• Duchesnea major ((Makino) Makino)
• Duchesnea indica var. albicarpa (Y.N.Lee)
• Duchesnea indica ((Andrews) Teschem.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Assam (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (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.

Fruit

Taken May 27, 2019 by lauren krueger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by K Jackie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2019 by Pavel Gaňa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2019 by Martine Dellier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Boťanská Veronika (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Françoise Valéry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by cabana carlos manuel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2019 by Pavel Gaňa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 22, 2020 by YARRAYYA Dr. Yarrayya Kondru (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2019 by lauren krueger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by marc tournecuillert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Tjibbe Donker (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2020 by Yvon PAROT (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by Gingernyanko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Françoise Valéry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by stephane pal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by stephane pal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2020 by Paul DUPUYDS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by Leandro Martins Santos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 13, 2009 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by František Coufal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2018 by Nico de Jongh (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5365717)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:728289-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Duchesnea indica (Jacks.) Focke)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3031919)

Specifications

Growth