From Appearance to Flavor: How Mock and Wild Strawberries Stand Out in Your Garden
Fruit Appearance: Mock strawberries have bright red, round, bumpy fruits that sit upright. Wild strawberries are smaller, cone-shaped, and dangle downward.
Taste: Wild strawberries are juicy, sweet, and aromatic. Mock strawberries are bland, dry, and nearly tasteless.
Flower Color: Mock strawberries bloom with yellow flowers, while wild strawberries have white petals.
Leaf Shape: Both plants have three-part leaves, but mock strawberry leaves are shinier with rounded teeth, while wild strawberries have more serrated edges.
Growth Habit: Mock strawberries spread quickly and can take over garden beds. Wild strawberries also spread, but at a slower pace.
Edibility: Wild strawberries are safe and delicious. Mock strawberries are technically edible but not enjoyable.
Season of Fruit: Wild strawberries usually fruit in late spring to early summer. Mock strawberries can fruit throughout the growing season.
Plant Texture: Mock strawberry plants feel rougher and more rubbery than the softer wild strawberry plants.