Mock Strawberry, Duchesnea indica



Foraging Texas Page on Mock Strawberry

Eat The Weeds Page on Mock Strawberry

USDA Plant Index Page on Mock Strawberry

Easiest time to identify: Later summer when fruit is ripe.

Harvest/Forage: Late summer

At the English Auditorium there is a large patch sever square feet big. The patch is behind several young trees and shrubs so the area is often not managed. That means that these berries could be a good foraging source. I found the large patch on a North facing side with a lot of canopy and under story shade. The area is irrigated and protected from harsh summer sun. The Strawberries were not planted intentionally because they were sprayed with herbicide and raked away.  


The first time I encountered this plant I thought it was poison ivy. The three leaves with red stems raised my suspicion. It took me several trips and internet checks to reluctantly try one. Interestingly this plant has a reputation for being poisonous but that is not true. The berry is just not bursting with flavor. One benefit is the abundance. This plant typically crowds out others and can be seen in large patches. 

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