Description: A perennial herbaceous plant with long stolones. Ovate shaped leaves with three leaflets, 1-6 cm, crenulated, green and soft-hairy on the upper part, with dense silky pubescence on the lower part. Flowers with 12-15 mm diameter, white, usually hermaphrodite. Sepals opened during fruiting.
Distribution in Kosovo: In forests and grasslands of hilly areas up to high alpine areas.
Part(s) used: Leaves (Fragaria folium), fruit (Fragaria fructus).
Harvesting period: Leaves are harvested in the spring and early summer (April-July), fruits are harvested during the spring and summer when they are ripe.
Drying: Is done in the oven at temperatures of up to 450C (leaves). Ratio: 4:1(leaves), 50 0C (fruits)(ratio 7:1)
Therapeutic category: Astringent, anti-diarrheal
Use(s): Traditionally leaves and rhizomes have been used to treat infections of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. The leaves and fruits are used in healing and in treating kidney and digestive organs (helps in the healing of intestinal mucosa). The fruit is widely used in the food industry and as a liqueur.
Preparation and dosage: 1 gr. of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water, to be used several times a day.