Fragaria orientalis
| Fragaria orientalis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rosoideae |
| Genus: | Fragaria |
| Species: | F. orientalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Fragaria orientalis Losinsk. | |
Fragaria orientalis is a diploid species of wild strawberry native to E. Asia - Eastern Siberia. It is occasionally cultivated as a novelty edible. It is called 东方草莓 (dong fang cao mei) in at least part of its native range.
Key Features
Fragaria orientalis is a perennial, averaging 8 in (.2m) tall; it blooms from Apr to May.[1] It vigorously produces runners, like many herbaceous members of Fragariinae.
Distinguishing Features
- Fruit ripen purple-red with deeply inset ovoid achenes
- Hemispheric to obviate fruit
- Leaflets highly variable- 1–5 × 0.8–3.5 cm
- obovate or rhombic-ovate shape with slightly acute (pointed) tip
- abaxially pilose (fuzzy on the underside), especially near veins, slightly adaxial (near the stem/major midrib) pilose
- cuneate central leaflets, lateral (side) leaflets oblique (asymmetric)
- Flowers bisexual, rarely unisexual, 1–1.5 cm in diameter[2]
Cultivation
This plant is cultivated as an edible herb. However, it is relatively rare in cultivation. However, Plants for a Future offers a preliminary method of cultivation. Prefers a sunny position with moist, fertile soil for maximum production. However, plants can tolerate partial shade. Fragaria orientalis prefers a mulch of coniferous needles. They can be vigorous, spreading via runners. However, there is little invasive threat.[1]
Distribution
Fragaria orientalis is native to China and E Siberia, specifically the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, as well as in Korea, Mongolia, and E Russia.[2] These plants can be found in forests and meadows on mountain slopes, usually in the shade of forest trees at elevations of 600 – 4000 meters.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Fragaria orientalis- Lozinsk". Plants for a Future. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- 1 2 "Flora of China". eFloras.org. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
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