Virginia Strawberry

Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

       The native Virginia, Wild, or Common Strawberry, found throughout North America and considered weedy in some areas, blooms in mid spring. Found in open areas, fields, open wooded areas, and woodland edges the wild strawberry prefers moist souls.
       The white flowers, typical of those in the Rose family (Rosaceae), are an inch across with five white petals, five sepals, and five leaf-like bracts. Leaves, toothed and rounded, grow to nine inches long.
       The modern hybrid strawberry found in supermarkets, developed from the wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and a South American species, is larger and less tasty than its smaller, wild relative.
       The fruit of the wild strawberry is editable raw or cooked and is used in jellies and jams. The leaves, used medicinally in treatment of a wide variety of aliments, are high in vitamin C also makes a pleasant tasting tea when dried. The fruit may be used as toothpaste substitute to clean the teeth.
       The Rosaceae is an important family and contain many species important to humans
        It is not recommended that these plants be used as medicine or food since they may have bad side effects. Similar species, misidentified, may cause illness or death.