Fragaria virginiana

To the Haudenosanuee people, strawberries are considered the leader of all fruits because they ripen in spring, providing needed nutrition after a long winter and signaling the coming of the growing season. They are celebrated for their medicinal properties, and a strawberry drink is incorporated as part of all Haudenosaunee ceremonies. 

The Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga Nation) word for strawberry is Jihsǫ:dahk. Listen to Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ knowledge keeper Stephen Henhawk share the importance of this plant relative for food and ceremony on the Tutelo Park Plant Walk in collaboration with the Town of Ithaca.