Ian A Kirk
If you spot miniature, juicy red strawberries on the grassy banks of limestone and chalk downlands, open woodland, scrubland and railway cuttings, the chances are you are looking at a Wild Strawberry plant. Not actually the ancestor of commercial strawberries, the Wild Strawberry does have an excellent flavour. With long, rooting runners, it spreads quickly and low to the ground; its white flowers appear from April to July and the tasty fruits follow.
How to identify
Wild Strawberry has glossy, trefoil leaves with toothed edges and hairy undersides; white flowers with five petals and a golden centre; and distinctive red fruit with tiny seeds.
Where to find it
When to find it
How can people help
Gathering wild food can be a satisfying experience and provides a chance to learn about our native plants. However, if you do fancy giving it a go, remember that it is an offence to totally uproot a wild plant and please just take what you need, leaving some for the wild creatures, too. Don't eat anything you can't identify, either - it could make you very ill. To find out more about wild plants, both edible and not, why not come along to a Wildlife Trust event? From fungi forays to woodland walks, there's plenty of variety for everyone and lots of opportunities to learn more about the natural world and your local patch.