When June arrives at Cornell Botanic Gardens, a bounty of blooms spanning every color of the rainbow cover our gardens and natural areas. These blooms attract a variety of pollinators in the hope that a seed develops along with its protective fruit, ready to produce its next generation. It the midst of this burst of June blooms, the wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is ahead of the game. Its small white flowers typically bloom from late April to early May, giving time for its seeds and fruits to form and ripen by early to mid-June. 

Cornell Botanic Gardens is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫɁ (the Cayuga Nation). For centuries of living in close relationship with this land, they have eagerly anticipated the ripening of strawberries in spring after a long winter of limited fresh plant-based foods. For this reason, the Gayogo̱hó:nǫɁ  and the other five nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy refer to the strawberry as the leader of the fruits. 

The Haudenosaunee consider strawberries strong medicines that support overall health and well-being. The ripening of its berries is followed by a Strawberry Ceremony to express gratitude for this plant medicine, which provides needed nutrition after a long winter and signals the coming bounty of the growing season. Often at ceremonies, strawberries are gathered and made into a sweet strawberry drink that is shared communally while expressing gratitude to the Creator and the natural world. 

You can look for the ripe berries of wild strawberries in the edges or openings in woodlands or within meadows. They are found in many of Cornell Botanic Gardens natural areas, including the Mundy Wildflower Garden, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, and Ringwood Ponds. Perhaps you can thank them for signaling the coming bounty provided by the rich diversity of plants around us, which support us and all life.

Click here to listen to Stephen Henhawk, Gayogo̱hó:nǫɁ  language speaker and knowledge keeper, provide a personal narrative in the Gayogo̱hó:nǫɁ    language and in English on the meaning of strawberry to him and the Gayogo̱hó:nǫɁ community. This audio recording is part of an interpretive plant walk at Tutelo Park in the Town of Ithaca, New York, developed in collaboration with Stephen Henhawk and the Town Conservation Board.

Sarah Fiorello is the Interpretation Coordinator for Cornell Botanic Gardens.