Mock Strawberry, Indian strawberry

Duchesnea indica

Physical Characteristics

Duchesnea indica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Fruit - raw[105, 177]. Dry and insipid[17]. Certainly rather tasteless, but it is not dry[K]. A flavour somewhat like a water melon according to some people, but this is possibly the product of a strained imagination[K].The fruit contains about 3.4% sugar, 1.5% protein, 1.6% ash[194]. Vitamin C is 6.3mg per 100ml of juice[194]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter with the appearance and texture of a strawberry but very little flavour[K]. A clump 2.5m² yields about 150g of fruit annually[194]. Leaves - cooked[179].

Medicinal Uses

Anticoagulant Antiphlogistic Antiseptic Depurative Eczema Febrifuge Poultice Skin Vitamin C The whole plant is anticoagulant, antiseptic, depurative and febrifuge[147, 178]. It can be used in decoction or the fresh leaves can be crushed and applied externally as a poultice[147]. It is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, weeping eczema, ringworm, stomatitis, laryngitis, acute tonsillitis, snake and insect bites and traumatic injuries[147]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of swellings[147, 178, 218]. An infusion of the flowers is used to activate the blood circulation[218]. The fruit is used to cure skin diseases[218]. A decoction of the plant is used as a poultice for abscesses, boils, burns etc[218].

Known Hazards

None known