Plant Data Sheet

Woodland strawberry

http://www.wnps.org/plants/fragaria_vesca.html

http://runeberg.org/nordflor/pics/301.jpg

Species: Fragaria vesca, woodland strawberry

Range: North America and Europe (1)

Climate, elevation: low to subalpine areas, south of 55˚N (4)

Local occurrence: Iron Goat trail, near Stevens Pass (1)

Habitat preferences: Clearings or open forests (4)

Plant strategy type/successional stage: low-growing perennial with long stolons (5)

Associated species: Cedar/Hemlock forest margin(2)

May be collected as: Seeds , stolons with plantlets, or divided plants (2)

Collection restrictions or guidelines: Divide plants in spring or fall. Seed is collected when the fruits turn red in mid summer. Seed can be processed by maceration of the fruit using a Dyb-vig cleaner, followed by washing and screening.(2)

Seed germination: Seeds must be stratified for 85 days to break physiological dormancy.(2) Sow indoors 2 months before last frost date. Press into the soil firmly. Cover with paper to exclude light. Keep moist. Germination will occur in 2-3 weeks at an optimum soil temperature of 65-75°F. Up-pot at 3-4 weeks and transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed or direct seed outside as soon as the soil warms. (6)

Seed life: 2 years (6)

Recommended seed storage conditions: Unknown.

Propagation recommendations: Seeds or cuttings

Soil or medium requirements: Prefers a fertile, well-drained, moisture retentive soil(3) or moist sterile seeding mix (6)

Installation form: Bare root or in 2 or 4” pots (2)

Recommended planting density: 8-12” apart (6).

Care requirements after installed: Water weekly at least in first year after installation (7).

Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan: Establishes quickly, but individual plants can lose vigor after three years (3).

Sources cited:

1. Washington Native Plant Society:

http://www.wnps.org/plants/fragaria_vesca.html

http://www.wnps.org/plant_lists/counties/king/documents/IronGoatTrail.doc

2. Native Plant Network: http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/network/view.asp?protocol_id=212

3. Plants for a Future database: http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Fragaria+vesca+'Semperflorens'

4. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska. Jim Pojar and Andy Mackinnon. (Vancouver, BC: Lone Pine Publishing, 1994)

5. borealforest.org: http://www.borealforest.org/herbs/herb14.htm

6. Territorial Seed Company: http://www.territorial-seed.com/stores/1/Strawberry_Seed_Culture_Infor_W73C28.cfm?UserID=16105573&jsessionid=8c305d0d5e14$2B$23Lt

7. BackyardGardener.com: http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_2e00.html

Data compiled by Deborah Brown, May 7, 2006