Barren Strawberry

Barren Strawberry: Potentilla sterilis

Barren Strawberry is actually a cinquefoil or potentilla, but its common name reflects its similarity to the true wild strawberry in flower. The white flowers are scarcely more than an eighth of an inch across; they are like miniature wild roses in form, with five slightly notched petals and a yellow centre to the flower. The whole plant is only a couple of inches tall and rather inconspicuous, but barren strawberry is very common on banksides, along paths, woodland edges and dry grassy areas.