Beach Strawberry
Fragaria chiloensis
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Hawaii, United States
iNaturalist: © erik-jules (iNaturalist #9649773)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Fragaria
- Species:
- Fragaria chiloensis
- USDA Symbol:
- FRCH
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Aseptis binotata, Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), Brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea), clandestine dart (Spaelotis clandestina), Clepsis fucana, clover cutworm (Agrotis gladiaria), Colona Haploa (Haploa colona), common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), common marbled carpet (Dysstroma truncata), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), darksided cutworm (Euxoa messoria), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), drab brown wave (Lobocleta ossularia), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), glassy cutworm (Apamea devastator), Gothic dart (Feltia subgothica), Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra), Horned Spanworm (Nematocampa resistaria), Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), juniper pug (Eupithecia pusillata), Limbata angle moth (Nematocampa limbata), Nais tiger moth (Apantesis nais), Smeared Dagger Moth (Acronicta oblinita), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Coptotriche confusa, drab brown wave (Lobocleta ossularia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal environments with good air circulation
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For seeds: Soak for 24 hours and stratify for 21 days. Stratification may not be necessary. For cuttings: Dip in a mild bleach solution for 30 seconds and treat with Hormex (1000 ppm IBA) rooting powder.
Establishment: F. chiloensis is found on sandy beaches and coastal strand and scrub communities from San Luis Obispo County, California to Alaska; also in Hawaii and South America. Fruits are collected May 19th. Mature fruits are red. Seed is dark brown at maturity. Stolons with plantlets are collected between September 15th and November 15th.
Source: npn.rngr.net