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Perennial

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vessca) Flowers and Berries

 

The Wild or Woodland Strawberry is similar, in appearance to the well known garden strawberry although still edible it is overall much smaller. In the UK they can often be found growing in many dry grassy places, from Woodland rides, Meadows and Gardens to Road side verges, often sending out long runners and colonising any available ground.

The leaves of the strawberry plant are made up of three oval leaflets, the small flowers have 5 white petals and a rich yellow centre and appear April to July.

Wild strawberry fruit or berries, may be found from June through to October, although small size they are stronger tasting and are often used commercially in jams and medicines.

Wild Strawberry Plant with Red Berries

Wild Strawberry Plant with Red Berries

Wild Strawberry Plant showing leaves and yellow and white flowers

Wild Strawberry Plant in Flower

Quick Info

  • Type: Perennial Herb
  • Also Known As: Woodland Strawberry
  • Where: Commonly found through-out Britain
  • Habitat: Often found on well drained – Meadows, Road side verges, woodland Clearings, Gardens and tracks.
  • When does it flower? April to July.
  • Fruiting: June through to October.
  • Height around: 20-30cm.
  • Larval Food Plant: Grizzled Skipper Butterfly (Pyrgus malvae)

Visit Thompson & Morgan to get Woodland Strawberry seeds

© Urban Butterfly Garden 2010-2024

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

 

Early Yellow flowering wild perennial plant commonly found across the UK on roadside verges, waste and disturbed ground, most often in clumps or patches.

Coltsfoot begins flowering in February through to April, it is one of earliest wildflowers to be found at this time of year, some others include, Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), Dandelion, and Wild primrose.

The leaves Coltsfoot only appear after the flowers heads have faded.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) close-up of yellow flower on plant

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) close-up of flower on plant

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) yellow flowering early spring plant

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) flowering in clumps or patches

Coltsfoot is a larval food plant for several species of moth and attracts early insects like Bees.

It is believed that Coltsfoot has medicinal properties, and has been used in the past to treat some breathing disorders.

Plant Information

  • Name: Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
  • Family Group: Daisy family – Asteraceae
  • Type: Perennial
  • Similar appearance to:
  • Flowering: February to April
  • Position: Sun, calcareous grassland,
  • Height: around 10-35cm
  • Larval food plant: Unknown
  • Nectar plant: Bees
  • Photograph: March 2011
  • Location: Woodland ride
© Urban Butterfly Garden 2010-2024