Waldsteinia_ternata
Waldsteinia ternata
Species of flowering plant
Waldsteinia ternata, commonly referred to as barren strawberry, is an herbaceous perennial plant. It has a disjunct distribution, being native to Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia, namely the Changbai Mountains of China, Sakhalin and Siberia in Russia, and Japan.[1]
Both the leaves and the flowers of W. ternara are reminiscent of strawberry. The leaves are trifoliate (hence the specific epithet), arranged in rosettes,[2] glossy, and evergreen in climates with mild winters.[3] The yellow, five-petaled flowers appear in late spring or early summer.[2][3] The fruit is an inedible berry. The plant usually grows 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and forms a thick foliage carpet by spreading via stolons and rhizomes.[2] The spread is slow and thus not seen as aggressive.[3]
W. ternata has been cultivated since at least 1803. The cultivated plants are, for the most part, based on W. ternata subsp. trifolia.[4] Undemanding of soil conditions, W. ternata is used in landscape and garden design as a groundcover or as an edger for the herbaceous border.[2][3] As it can grow in either sun or dappled shade, it is considered appropriate for shade gardens.[3] Neither pests nor diseases pose significant problems.[2] The 'Kronstadt' cultivar has enlarged flowers, while 'Variegata' has variegated leaves.[4]