n, WILD, OR XATIVE FLOWERS 



One of the late flowering species, 6". laiijolia, is remarkable for its 

 fragrance, it is slender in habit, the lax branches trailing upon the 

 ground in grassy woodlands. The leaves are large, very sharply and 

 coarsely toothed, margined on the leaf-stalk, terminating in a slender 

 point at the apex. The blossoms, which are larger than those of many of 

 the taller species, are clustered in the axils of the large thin leaves at 

 rather distant intervals along the slender branches ; the silky pappus of 

 the winged seeds is tinged with purplish-brown, the flowers are golden- 

 yellow. 



Str.\wi5ERRV Elite — Indi.\x Str.wvuerrv. — Blitum capitatum, (L.) 



The Strawberry Elite — or, as it is often called, Indian Strawberry^ 

 is widely spread over the Northern States, and Canada. 



Wherever the forest has been cleared it is sure to appear, as it 

 seems to affect the rich black leaf-mould of the newly cleared forest. 



It is not indeed found within the close thick forest, but appears 

 wherever a partial clearing has been made. It may be seen close to 

 the rough log walls of the lumberer's or chopper's shanty, flourishing in 

 great luxuriance under this half culture. On forest land, that has been 

 burnt over and left uncropped, it may be seen in perfection ; and within 

 the "arden enclosure, where it becomes a common weed : though truly 

 more ornamental than many a flower that the gardener cultivates with 

 care and trouble. 



When fully ripe, the long spikes of crimson fruit, and foliage of a 

 bright green colour, have a beautiful appearance, and tempt the hand to 

 pluck the richly-coloured seed clusters ; but beauty is not always to be 

 trusted, and in this case the eye is deceived and the taste disappointed 

 The fruit is insipid and flavourles;, though not unwholesome. 



The red juice is^used by the Indian-women in dyeing — and in old 

 times the backwoods settlers made it a substitute for ink- -but unless 

 the colour be fixed by alum, it fades and disappears from the paper. 



The Indian Strawberry or Elite, belongs to the Spinach family, and 

 may be used with safety as a substitute for the garden vegetable, being 

 perfectly harmless. 



I well remember, many years ago, greatly alarming some of my 

 neighbours in the backwoods, by gathering the tender leaves and shoots 

 of these plants, and preparing them for the table. I was assured that 

 death would be the result of my experiment ; but I was confident in 

 the innocent (lualities of my fruit-bearing Spinach, and laughed at the 

 drediction that I should find death in the pot. 



