Growing in coastal strand for western North America from San Luis Obispo northward to Alaska is Fragaria chiloensis, known either as beach strawberry or sand strawberry. This perennial has a short, rhizome and clones via stolons (runners). The ternate (trifoliate) leaves are generally glossy and dark green, and the flowers are white. This species also occurs along beaches of South America, including the island of Chiloe in southern Chile, and appears again in the Hawaiian Islands. The red aggregate fruit, which bears tiny achenes on the surface, is edible and transported via birds. This photograph was taken at Muir Beach in Marin County, California.

[Return to Text]