Strawberry |
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| Common Name | Strawberry |
| Scientific Name | Fragaria vesca |
| Other names for this fruit-bearing plant are Wild Strawberry, Hautboy, Wood Strawberry, Woodman's Delight, and Mountain Strawberry. It is said that this plant is the symbol of foresight. In ancient times, people thought the wild strawberry had powers against demons, but today we think of it primarily for its abundant alkali and vitamin C content. The Okanagon Indians of the Pacific Northwest used dried, pulverized leaves to promote healing of the navel of newborn babies. Linnaeus wrote that he cured his gout with fresh wild strawberries. It is believed a tea made from the leaves relieves anaemia, lack of appetite, and undue sweating, and prevents miscarriage and menstrual irregularities. It is also thought to relieve diarrhoea and jaundice. | |
| Plant | Perennial. Several stems rise from the root, each bearing three fan-shaped, sharp-toothed, dark green leaves. Small, white, rose-form flowers with five petals and prominent yellow centres appear in clusters during May and June, followed by the seedy, pea-sized, juicy red fruits. |
| Height | About 8 inches. |
| Soil | Well-drained, rich, moist. |
| Exposure | Full sun. |
| Propagation | By seeds or berries planted during the third lunar phase in spring or fall. Or by runners-an easy method because they root themselves or can be rooted by layering. |
| Care | Place plants about 8 inches apart. Keep well weeded. The tiny, extra-sweet berries are delicious but so small that many must be picked to satisfy even the daintiest appetite. Our large, cultivated strawberry varieties were developed from this European plant, hybridized with strawberries from North America and Chile. |
| Part used for Tea | Leaves. |
| Taste | Cooling, strawberry flavour. Good in combination with woodruff. |
| How to Brew | BY INFUSION: Cover 3 teaspoons of crushed fresh leaves, or 1 teaspoon of dried leaves, with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for about 5 minutes. The fruits also form the basis of a refreshing hot or cold summer drink. Crush 1 tablespoonful of berries in a cup, and add boiling water. |
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