Description
Indian mock strawberry (Potentilla indica) is a perennial, spreading by hairy stolons (runners). Leaflets are toothed and hairy with long, hairy petioles with leaf-like stipules (basal appendages). Single flowers with five yellow petals are borne on long stalks from the leaf axils. The fruit is red and fleshy and similar in appearance to the commercial strawberry though smaller and tasteless. It is similar in appearance and growth habit to wild strawberry, but it has yellow flowers instead of white and teeth on leaf edges are rounded rather than sharp-pointed.
Cultural Control
Improving surface drainage, aerating when needed, and watering infrequently will help reduce Indian mock-strawberry encroachment.
Species Data
- GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
- perennial weed
- GROWTH HABIT
- LEAFLET NUMBER
- three; first few leaves are simple, rest are trifoliates
- LEAF MARGIN
- roundish teeth
- LEAF HAIRS
- dense hairs on upper surface
- LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
- LEAF WIDTH
- 1⁄2 - 2 inches
- LEAF VENATION
- pinnate
- LEAF ARRANGEMENT
- alternate
- ROOT TYPE
- fibrous; note also the stolons associated with this plant
Figure 13
- fibrous; note also the stolons associated with this plant
- FLOWER COLOR
Figure 1. Indian mock strawberry growth habit.
Figure 2. Indian mock strawberry growth habit.
Figure 3. Indian mock strawberry growth habit.
Figure 4. Indian mock strawberry growth habit.
Figure 5. Indian mock strawberry growth habit.
Figure 6. Indian mock strawberry growth habit.
Figure 7. Indian mock strawberry leaflet shape.
Figure 8. Indian mock strawberry leaflet shape.
Figure 9. Indian mock strawberry leaflet shape.
Figure 10. Indian mock strawberry leaflet shape.
Figure 11. Indian mock strawberry leaflet shape.
Figure 12. Indian mock strawberry leaflet shape.
Figure 13. Indian mock strawberry root type.
Figure 14. Indian mock strawberry flower color.
Figure 15. Indian mock strawberry flower color.
Figure 16. Indian mock strawberry flower color.
Figure 17. Indian mock strawberry flower color.
Publication date: Nov. 27, 2017
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