Seasonal Wild Flowers

Barren Strawberry

Potentilla sterilis

Rosaceae

Late February to May

It is found throughout the country, but is less common in the East.

See the BSBI distribution map for Barren Strawberry

It grows in open woodland, edges of woods, hedge banks,

meadows, walls and cracks in pavements.

Barren Strawberry is a native, low growing, stoloniferous,

spreading, perennial herb growing up to 15cm.

The flowers are up to 15mm and 5-merous.

The petals are white, notched, well spaced and longer

than the sepals.

There are up to 30 stamens and numerous carpels.

There are 5 lanceolate sepals and the same number in the

epicalyx.

It looks like a Wild Strawberry, but there are several differences.

The petals are slightly notched in Barren Strawberry and are

usually more widely separated than in Wild Strawberry.

Wild Strawberry has the centre of the flower domed, like a

nascent strawberry, whereas Barren Strawberry has no

central dome.

The leaves of Barren Strawberry are softer, less shiny,

bluer and less sharply toothed than in Wild Strawberry.

The terminal tooth of the leaf in Barren strawberry is shorter

than those on either side.

Small patch of Barren Srawberry with stolons

Flower - separated petals, stamens and ovules

Notched petals, sepals, epicalyx and hairy stem

Leaves

Wild strawberry with overlapping petals

(for comparison)