Fragaria nipponica
Makino
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) belvedere04, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by belvedere04
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Moses J. Michelsohn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaFragaria nipponica is a species of wild strawberry in the family Rosaceae. It is native to the western side of the Japanese island of Honshū, with a variety Fragaria nipponica var. yakusimensis on Yakushima. Some botanists treat it as a synonym of Fragaria yezoensis. All strawberries have a base haploid count of 7 chromosomes. Fragaria nipponica is diploid, having 2 pairs of these chromosomes for a total of 14 chromosomes. Fragaria nipponica, particularly var. yakusimensis, is cultivated in Japan for its edible fruit.
Description
A hardy perennial strawberry growing to 0.3 m (1 ft) tall. Flowers appear from April to May, with seeds ripening June to July. Hermaphroditic flowers are pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or basic soils. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist conditions.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten raw.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Japan,
Cultivation
Prefers a fertile, well-drained, moisture retentive soil in a sunny position. Tolerates semi-shade though fruit production will be reduced. Likes a mulch of pine or spruce leaves.
Propagation
Sow seed in early spring in a greenhouse; germination can take four weeks or more. Seedlings start small and slow before growing more rapidly. Prick out into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out during summer. Divide runners preferably in July or August to allow establishment before the following year's crop, or transplant the following spring — plants should not fruit in their first year after a spring move. Runners can be planted directly into permanent positions.
Other Uses
None known Special Uses
Synonyms
Also Known As
Hurep
References (3)
- Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 26:282. 1912
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Williams, D., 2017, Ainu Ethnobiology. Contributions in Ethnobiology. Society of Ethnobiology. p 123 (As Fragaria yezoensis)
