Barren strawberry is a perennial rhizomatous herb that is superficially similar to strawberries from genus Fragaria.  Unlike true strawberries that have white flowers and fleshy edible berries, this little plant has yellow flowers and berries that are dry and not edible.  Barren strawberry has rhizomes below the soil surface and not above-ground stolons , like most true strawberries

The trifoliate leaves of barren strawberry are similar in appearance to those of true strawberries.  Flowers occur in sparse clusters of 3 to 8 flowers, each with 5 yellow petals, 3 light green shorter sepals and numerous stamens with yellow tips (anthers). The plant grows 3 to 8 inches high in rich, moist meadows, woods and pastures.

Although the fruits of barren strawberry are not edible, this plant still offers a beautiful groundcover of showy yellow flowers and strawberry-like, dark green foliage appearing in early spring from April to July. This plant can thrive in a wide variety of habitats that are both moist and dry with full sun to part shade such as mixed forest types with canopy cover and sandy woods. It can tolerate drought once established, but benefits from consistent moisture.  Barren strawberry can be found in colonies within areas with a spread of 48’’ or more. Although widespread, it can be considered threatened in some states within the Eastern United States due to anthropogenic disturbances such as deforestation. Within Pennsylvania, it is found within all but 5 counties.