Duchesnea indica

Duchesnea indica or Indian strawberry is a charming small perennial groundcover that colonizes the undergrowth. It brightens up the end of spring with its yellow flowers and the summer with its small red fruits, resembling wild strawberries. However, these fruits are not at all tasty, they are just decorative. It is satisfied with an ordinary soil and is not demanding. You can also find a place for it in a vase or pots to keep it close to your eyes.

The genus Duchesnea pays tribute to Nicolas Duchesne, a specialist in strawberries from the 18th century. It is true that the similarities are clear. The False strawberry consists of rosettes that spread through stoloniferous stems. It thus spreads rapidly and forms a 10cm (4in) high carpet. It can become invasive, and is considered invasive in certain regions. The foliage is semi-evergreen and can withstand temperatures close to -15°C (5°F). The leaves are light to dark green, trifoliate, and dentate. They contrast sharply with the yellow flowers that appear as early as May. These are small corollas with five petals, 2cm (1in) in diameter, which then give way to globular red fruits of roughly the same size. These are comparable to miniature wild strawberries, but do not possess any of the taste characteristics. They can even cause problems if ingested in large quantities. So keep an eye on the children.

This Indian Duchesnea appreciates shady or semi-shady positions and can tolerate any type of soil, preferring moist ones. It naturally finds its place at the foot of beds, in the shade of trees, and in cool rockeries, alongside Primroses, Cyclamens, and Wood Anemones. It also thrives in vases and pots that you can keep on the terrace and near entrances to enjoy its vibrant colors.