a Eurasian plant, Potentilla sterilis, related to the strawberry that does not produce edible fruit
barren strawberry in British English
a related Eurasian plant, Potentilla sterilis, that does not produce edible fruit
See full dictionary entry for strawberry
barren strawberry in American English
noun
a low-growing plant, Waldsteinia fragarioides, of the rose family, native to north temperate regions, having long stalks with three toothed leaflets and yellow flowers
Word origin
[1890–95, Amer.; so called because the fruit is dry and inedible]This word is first recorded in the period 1890–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: blanket roll, blip, bootstrap, honky-tonk, takedown
Examples of 'barren strawberry' in a sentence
barren strawberry
Barren strawberry produces only a dry, hairy fruit.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The green leaves of barren strawberry are showing themselves on damp paths.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
The three-pronged leaves of barren strawberry are opening on damp ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The white flowers will follow in due course, but the fruit of barren strawberry stays green and dry and does not ripen.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Another flower that will be opening soon, and whose trefoil leaves are already up and showing on grassy paths, is barren strawberry.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is a very similar flower called barren strawberry which has no fruit to offer.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The barren strawberry bears only dry, yellow fruit, quite unlike the rich red, juicy berries of its fruitful relative.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is another flower called barren strawberry which is very similar, but whichcan nevertheless be distinguished by a single glance at the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
On damp, open ground, the leaves of barren strawberry are out, and there will be flowers beforelong.