Barren Strawberry
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)
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 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.
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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)
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