Herb: Strawberry


Latin name: Fragaria x ananassa


Synonyms: Fragaria grandiflora


Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)



Edible parts of Strawberry:

Fruit - raw. Fruits of the best cultivars are sweet and succulent with an exquisite flavour. Strawberries are a very popular fruit and are widely available in the summer. The fruit of some cultivars is up to 3cm in diameter. Young leaves - raw.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
30 cm
(11 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
May to
July

Habitat of the herb:

Not known in the wild.

Propagation of Strawberry:

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. The seed can take 4 weeks or more to germinate. The seedlings are very small and slow-growing at first, but then grow rapidly. Prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out during the summer. This is a hybrid species and seed will not breed true, though this is the only way to develop new varieties. Division of runners, preferably done in July/August in order to allow the plants to become established for the following years crop. They can also be moved in the following spring if required though should not then be allowed to fruit in their first year. The runners can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation of the herb:

Not known in the wild.

Medicinal use of Strawberry:

None known

Known hazards of Fragaria x ananassa:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.