Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Pollinator Value

🔑 Keystone: Fragaria supports 80 species of butterflies and moths as a caterpillar host plant, making it a keystone genus for lepidopteran biodiversity. Key associates include the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), and Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians).
S13 80 lepidoptera species; S15 verified Eastern NA records
🐛 Larval Host: Pyrrharctia isabella, Xanthotype sospeta, Amphipoea interoceanica, Proxenus miranda, Nephelodes minians, Feltia herilis, Abagrotis anchocelioides
S13+S15 7 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena melanochroa
S17 Rosaceae specialist on Fragaria, Potentilla, Rubus; range CT-GA-MA-MD-ME-NC-NH-NJ-NY-VA-WV
❄️ Winter Food Source: Fruit consumed by American Robin, Dusky Grouse, and Spruce Grouse. While the fleshy receptacles ripen in June-July, dried achenes may persist into early winter on the plant, providing forage for overwintering birds.
S57 3 bird species; S29 seeds ripen Jun-Jul

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5) and nationally secure (N5) in both Canada and the United States. Ranked S5 (Secure) in Ontario. Not ranked in Quebec but widespread with 684 herbarium specimens from the province. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC.
S22 G5, N5, S5 ON, SNR QC; S26 not SARA listed; S48 684 QC specimens
Rarity Ranks: QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Ubiquitous in fields, prairies, woodland edges, dry openings, roadsides, and clearings across a wide range of habitats. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region it grows on dry rocky summits, sandy slopes, grassy areas, and forest margins. Tolerates diverse conditions from deciduous and mixed forest understory to full-sun meadows.
S7 nearly ubiquitous in diverse habitats; S4 fields, prairies, woodland edges; S61 meadows and fields, shores

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Nutrient Accumulator, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Nutrient Accumulator: S72 Hemenway (tables: 10-1, 6-2, 9-1, pp. 96, 130, 137)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: An effective living mulch and ground cover in food forest guilds. Functions as a dynamic accumulator, gathering minerals from soil and storing them in bioavailable form. In the apple guild, serves as living mulch suppressing weeds while attracting pollinators. Tolerant of juglone, making it compatible with walnut-family plantings. Stoloniferous habit fills gaps rapidly between guild members.
S72 Hemenway tables 10-1, 6-2, 9-1; S29 dynamic accumulator; S3 tolerates juglone

Category: Antiseptic, Astringent, Emmenagogue, Galactogogue, Odontalgic, Diuretic, Antidiarrheal, Sedative
S29 antiseptic, astringent, emmenagogue, galactogogue, odontalgic; S28 antidiarrheal, sedative, diuretic uses
Notes: Whole plant is antiseptic, astringent, emmenagogue, galactogogue, and odontalgic. Leaf tea used as a nerve tonic. Root tea is diuretic and used for diarrhoea, irregular menses, and stomach/lung ailments. Poultice of dried powdered leaves mixed with oil applied to open sores. Fruit held in mouth to remove tartar from teeth. Extensively used medicinally by Cherokee, Blackfoot, Chippewa, and other Indigenous nations.
S29 medicinal details; S28 18 drug + 1 medicine uses across multiple nations

✅ Edible ✅ Commonly Eaten

Foraging Notes: Fruit eaten raw, cooked, or made into preserves. Sweet, succulent, and considered the finest wild strawberry. Fruit up to 20 mm diameter. Dried leaves make a pleasant vitamin C-rich tea substitute. Extensively used as food by numerous Indigenous nations including Algonquin, Cherokee, Chippewa, Blackfoot, Dakota, and many others. One parent of cultivated hybrid strawberries (F. x ananassa).
S29 fruit raw/cooked/preserves, tea; S28 33 food uses; S4 finest wild strawberry