Potentilla indica

Mock Strawberry

Potentilla indica, also known as mock strawberry, is a herbaceous plant in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to South and East Asia and has been introduced to many other parts of the world. Today it is a widespread invasive species in many temperate and subtropical regions. The plant forms flat rosettes with three-part leaves that resemble those of strawberries, hence the name. The flowers are yellow, in contrast to the white or pink flowers of strawberry plants. The fruits look similar to strawberries, but are hard and tasteless. The mock strawberry spreads both vegetatively and by seed. The plant produces runners that can form roots and produce new plants. Potentilla indica grows in a variety of habitats including woodland, grassland, urban areas and disturbed sites. It is able to establish itself under a wide range of light conditions, but can thrive best in full sun. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and is resistant to many common herbicides.

Types of damage

Ecological damage

The main threat of mock strawberry is its ability to spread rapidly and form dense mats that can cover the ground and suppress native plant species. This can reduce biodiversity and alter the structure and function of ecosystems, especially on ruderal sites and along forest edges.

Region of origin

China, South East Asia

Introduction vectors

Horticulture

Potentilla indica has been introduced as a popular ornamental plant due to its attractive appearance and its characteristic as a ground cover plant.
Current distribution

Based on the FlorKart Database of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, as of 2013

Miscellaneous

Family

The rose family (Rosaceae) comprises about 90 genera with about 3000 species. They are distributed worldwide, especially in temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. The family includes annual and perennial herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. Characteristic are their often five-petalled, radially symmetrical flowers and the diverse fruit forms, which range from aggregate fruits to rose hips. Many species are economically important as fruit, nut and ornamental plants, including apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and of course roses.

Climate change

Potentilla indica has not yet filled its potentially suitable habitat under current climate conditions. It benefits from climate change because in the future its potentially suitable habitat will increase. The environmental factors that most influence its spread are road infrastructure, soil type, rail infrastructure, summer precipitation and autumn precipitation.

Positive effects

Potentilla indica has been used for centuries as a traditional medicinal plant in Chinese medicine, but there are also results in scientific pharmacology that point to its immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dispersion forecast

Indicates the proportion of land suitable for habitat under current and future climate conditions (2060-2080) under three emission scenarios (RCP26, RCP45 & RCP85).

Habitat suitability maps

Instructions for use: Click here

Habitat suitability under current climate conditions

These habitat suitability maps show for Potentilla indica where suitable habitat conditions exist.

The map on the left shows this for current climate conditions. Below this are maps for the time classes 2040-2060 and 2061-2080, in which three different emission scenarios can be selected.

The slider at the top left allows you to adjust the opacity of the map to make orientation easier.

By clicking on the respective quadrant, information on the environmental conditions present in it can be called up.

The methodology is explained here .

Habitat suitability 2040 - 2060

2040-2060: In the RCP2.6 scenario, GHG emissions are expected to peak by 2040 through comprehensive mitigation measures and to decline rapidly thereafter. By 2060, global warming would stabilise at about 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Subtle changes in precipitation patterns could vary regionally, with some areas facing increased drought and others increased precipitation.

2040-2060: Under RCP4.5, GHG emissions would continue to increase until 2040, but stabilise at a high level thereafter. By 2060, there could be a global temperature increase of about 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This scenario would likely cause moderate changes in precipitation patterns, with potential regional differences.

2040-2060: Under RCP8.5, which assumes continued intensive use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions would rise sharply by 2060. The global temperature increase could be around 2.5-3°C. In this scenario, significant changes in precipitation patterns could occur, with an increased likelihood of extreme weather events.

Habitat suitability 2061 - 2080

2060-2080: By 2080, global warming could be limited to below 2°C in the RCP2.6 scenario, provided emission reductions are consistently pursued. Impacts on precipitation patterns would likely stabilise, although regional variance would remain significant.

2060-2080: In the RCP4.5 scenario, global temperatures would continue to increase and could be around 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Changes in precipitation patterns would likely increase and regional differences could become more pronounced.

2060-2080: Under RCP8.5, global temperatures could rise by more than 4°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Precipitation patterns would be expected to change significantly, with further increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This would have far-reaching impacts on ecological and socio-economic systems.