Fragaria daltoniana

Fragaria daltoniana, or Dalton’s strawberry, belongs to the rose family, Rosaceae. This perennial comes from the Himalaya, Tibet and northern Myanmar. Its range includes Nepal, Bhutan and parts of India. It grows in temperate regions and is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants occur in forests, scrub and shaded banks. They also grow in mountain meadows and thickets. Recorded habitats span elevations of about 6,560–16,400 feet [2,000–5,000 metres].

Plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] in height. They grow strongly and spread fast through surface stolons, or runners. This spreading habit makes them useful as ground cover. They suit woodland edges and sites with dappled shade. Their low growth can cover ground beneath an open canopy. The supplied species account does not describe leaf shape or colour. It also gives no fixed width for mature plants.

Flowers appear from May to June, and insects pollinate them. Each flower has both male and female organs. Seeds ripen from June to July. The rounded fruit can measure about 0.08 by 0.05 feet [0.025 by 0.015 metres]. People can eat the fruit raw, though it has little taste. Plants For A Future reports only occasional fruit on its Cornwall trial ground. It suggests that the plants may all belong to one clone. This is a possible cause, not a confirmed explanation.

Choose fertile soil that holds moisture but drains well. The plant accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. A sunny site gives the best chance of fruit. Plants tolerate partial shade, but fruit yields fall there. The account describes the plant as frost hardy. It gives no numbered hardiness zone. Keep the soil moist rather than choosing a dry site.

Seed and runner division offer ways to raise more plants. Sow seed under glass in early spring. Germination may take four weeks or longer. Seedlings grow slowly at first, then gain speed. Divide runners in July or August to allow time for establishment. Spring division is another option, but those plants should not fruit that year. Plants For A Future records root juice as a traditional fever treatment. It lists no known hazards, but gives no specific pest or disease information.