Linnaeus named this genus in 1753, giving it the classical Latin name for the strawberry plant.  In 1753 Linnaeus also named Fragaria vesca, the first species below.  In 1768 Phillip Miller (1691-1791) named Fragaria virginiana.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, openings. Spring, summer.
West Mancos Trail, June 26, 2004.

By far the less common of our two species of wild strawberries, this plant still can be found through the mountains with dainty flowers and sweet fruit.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, openings. Spring, summer.
West Mancos Trail, June 26, 2004.

Occasionally one finds the F. vesca and F. virginiana growing near each other.  F. vesca leaves are typically bright green, prominently veined, and more deeply toothed; F. virginiana leaves are blue-green with subdued veining and more shallow teeth.

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, openings. Spring, summer.
Taylor Creek Trail, June 2, 2004.
Shearer Creek Trail, May 17, 2006.

Fragaria virginiana is a very common ground-hugging plant with large leaves, conspicuous flowers, and incredibly sweet, tiny red berries.  The berries are, unfortunately, so treasured by wild critters that we humans get only a few.  F. virtiniana sends out red runners to reproduce itself and is thus found in patches (often large).  It blooms from early spring until frost in low meadows, open woods, hot barren slopes, and high subalpine areas.  Its leaves turn lovely shades of reds and maroons in the fall.

"Virginiana" is a common species name given either because the plant was first collected in Virginia or to honor that colony/state.  (The same is true of such names as "Canadensis", "Missouriensis",  "Arizonica"....)

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, openings. Spring, summer.
El Diente Trail, August 29, 2005.

Fall color creeps into Strawberry leaves and the last crop of berries is ripe.  Berries are typically about one-third of an inch in diameter and have far more interesting and varied  qualities to their taste than do domesticated strawberries.  I can tell you for sure that this particular berry was fabulous tasting.  And so were the many other ripe Strawberries that Betty and I were lucky enough to find on this hike.