The Wild Indian Strawberry or Mock Strawberry
(Duchesnea indica)
Interesting Information About Plant:
The Wild Indian’s fruit and leaves are edible and medicinal. However, the fruit is said to be tasteless, a flavor somewhat akin to a watermelon according to some. The fruit contains constituents such as sugar, protein, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The leaves also edible as pot herb, also known as a cooking herb. The entire plant is medicinal as an anticoagulant, antiseptic, depurative (purifier) and febrifuge (fever reducer). The herb can be used for stomatitis (an inflammation of the mucus lining), laryngitis, and acute tonsillitis. The fresh leaves can be crushed and applied externally as a medicinal poultice, a soft and moist mass. It is used in the treatment of boils and absesses, burns, weeping eczema, ringworm, snake and insect bites and traumatic injuries. A decoction of the leaves is medicinal and used in the treatment of swellings. An infusion, or liquid extract, of the flowers is used to activate the blood circulation. The Indian Strawberry can also cure skin diseases. In folklore it is said that in India it is to be used as an offering to the gods. The Wild Indian Strawberry is used extensively in China as a medicinal herb, and is being studied for its ability to stop the HIV virus and some forms of cancer from spreading through the body.
TRY THESE RECIPES
A cooling and medicinal drink for an upset stomach: Take 8 oz. of water and add a ¼ cup of the Wild Indian Strawberries. Blend or crush them in the water. Add honey, vanilla, or mint for taste, and drink on ice.
Medicinal poultice (a soft moist mass): Place the leaves and berries in a cloth. Crush them and apply directly to the wound. |
Common Name: The Wild Indian Strawberry or Mock Strawberry
Scientific Name: Duchesnea indica
Family Name (Scientific and Common): Rosaceae
Continent of Origin: Believed to be from East Asia, China, Japan, the Himalayas, and the Indies. However, some experts believe it is native to North America.
Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant: The Wild Indian, or Mock, Strawberry is a weedy ground cover known for it’s small, red fruit, yellow flowers, and little leaves.
Plant Growth Habit: Ground Cover
Height at Maturity: Less than 1 foot
Life Span: Perennial
Seasonal Habit: Evergreen Perennial
Growth Habitat: Full Sun to Full Shade
Manner of Culture: Weed
Thorns on Younger Stem? No
Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish
Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: Less Than The Diameter of a Pencil
Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf
Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Less than Length of a Credit Card
Leaf Complexity: Palmately Compound
Shape of Leaf: Simple
Edge of Leaf: Serrated
Leaf Arrangement: Whorled (3 or more leaves per node)
Leaf has Petiole? Yes
Patterns of Main-Veins: Parallel
Leaf Hairiness: Somewhat Hairy
Color of Foliage in Summer: Green
Flowering Season: Late Spring to Early Fall
Flowers: Single
Type of Flower: Colorful Flower
Color of Flower: Yellow
Shape of Individual Flower: Radially Symmetrical
Size of Individual Flower: Smaller than a Quarter
Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter
Fruit Fleshiness at Maturity: Fleshy
Shape of Fruit: Oblong-Oval
Color of Fruit at Maturity: Red
Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels? Yes-Birds
Is the Plant Poisonous: None of Plant
Pesky Plant (weedy, hard to control)? Yes, sometimes
Common Name(s): The Wild Indian Strawberry, Mock Strawberry, False Strawberry, She Mei
Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Wild Strawberry
Page prepared by:
Meghan O’Brien
December 2006 |
