# Appalachian barren-strawberry (*Waldsteinia fragarioides*)

The Appalachian barren-strawberry is a small plant with bright yellow flowers and green leaves. It grows close to the ground and loves to live in cool, shady spots in the mountains.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions

![Appalachian barren-strawberry](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Waldsteinia_fragarioides_001.JPG&width=800)

Photo: SB_Johnny, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Waldsteinia_fragarioides_001.JPG)

## Appearance

The Appalachian barren-strawberry is a low-growing plant with bright green, three-lobed leaves similar to a true strawberry. It produces small, vibrant yellow flowers, unlike the white ones of common strawberries. Its tiny, inedible-looking fruits are dull red and dry, giving it its 'barren' name.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Rosales
- **Family:** Rosaceae
- **Genus:** Geum

## Interesting facts

- It's an amazing natural groundcover, creating a lush green carpet in shady woods!
- Its tiny, red 'berries' are dry and tasteless, which is why it's called 'barren'!
- This hardy plant loves living in rocky forest spots, thriving where others can't!
- Unlike real strawberries, its pretty flowers are bright yellow, not white! Wow!

## Special abilities

- **Groundcover Power:** Appalachian barren-strawberry can spread its roots to create a dense green carpet, helping prevent soil erosion.
- **Early Bloomer:** Appalachian barren-strawberry has cheerful yellow flowers that emerge early in spring, before many trees leaf out.
- **Tough Roots:** Appalachian barren-strawberry can grow in rocky, poor soil thanks to its resilient root system.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** [common eastern bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — important native pollinator
- **Eaten by:** [white-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — may browse foliage

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any wild plants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Appalachian barren-strawberry?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Appalachian barren-strawberry?

5-15 cm

### How wide does Appalachian barren-strawberry spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Appalachian barren-strawberry?

1-2 cm

### When does Appalachian barren-strawberry bloom?

Spring

### Is Appalachian barren-strawberry edible?

Yes

### Is Appalachian barren-strawberry toxic?

None

### What is Appalachian barren-strawberry's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Marble Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marble-street-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District
- [Prouty Place State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/prouty-place-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Appalachian barren-strawberry Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/appalachian-barren-strawberry)