MSU Extension Turf

Wild Strawberry

Weeds

Thick-Leaved Wild Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

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Wild strawberry is a trifoliate (three leaflets) weed that spreads by aggressive stolons. The leaves and fruit of wild strawberry are smaller than that of its cultivated cousin. Wild strawberry is usually found in low maintenance areas and prefers well-drained soils.

Wild strawberry and indian mock-strawberry are very similar in habit. Indian mock-strawberry has five-petaled yellow flowers instead of white. The serrated teeth on indian mock-strawberry are more rounded than the sharp-toothed leaves of wild strawberry. Indian mock-strawberry can be found in shaded, moist, neutral-to-slightly acidic conditions.

Rough cinquefoil is another trifoliate perennial with serrated teeth and a creeping growth habit. The five-petaled yellow flowers of rough cinquefoil are produced on erect stems. The leaves of rough cinquefoil are hairy on both the upper and lower surface.

• Crops Affected: turf

  Management

  The strawberries are difficult to manage out of a turfgrass stand because of their well adapted stoloniferous nature. Once established, cultural practices may not be enough to eliminate strawberry from the turf stand. However, because strawberry is so slow to establish, increased turf density is an extremely effective deterrent.

  Similar Species

  Indian Mock-Strawberry