THE STRAWBERRY. 7 



Fragaria Chiliensis. A widely distributed species, 

 especially on the west coast of America, where it is found 

 from Alaska on the north, southward to California, and 

 thence to Chili and other countries in South America. 

 It is usually a low-growing, spreading plant with large 

 thick cuneate, obovate leaflets, smooth and shining 

 above ; with silky appressed hairs underneath. Fruit 

 stalks very stout ; flowers white, large, often more than 

 an inch in diameter and with five to seven petals. For- 

 merly these large flowered varieties from South America 

 were supposed to belong to a distinct species the F. 

 grandiflora, or Great-Flowering Strawberry ; but more 

 recent investigation has shown that all belong to the one 

 species, viz., F. Chiliensis. This species is the parent 

 of the most noted European varieties, some of which have 

 long been cultivated in this country, but the varieties of 

 the Virginian and Chili Strawberry have become so in- 

 termingled by crossing that it is now scarcely possible 

 to trace their parentage. 



Fragaria Indica. A small species from Upper In- 

 dia, with yellow flowers, and small red, rather tasteless 

 fruit. Often cultivated as a curiosity and ornament, as 

 the plants bear continuously through the summer and 

 autumn. 



Fragaria elatior. Hautbois or High wood Straw- 

 berry. Indigenous to Europe, principally in Germany. 

 Plants tall growing ; fruit usually elevated above the 

 leaves, and the calyx strongly reflexed ; petals small, 

 white; fruit brownish, pale red, sometimes greenish, 

 with a strong musky, and, to most persons, a disagree* 

 able flavor. Only sparingly cultivated. The plants are 

 inclined to be dioecious, i. e. 9 the two sexes on different 

 plants, even in their wild state. 



