STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



STRAWBERRY ELITE '-INDIAN STRAWBERRY Blitum 

 capitatum (L.). 



(PLATE XIX.) 



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 garden 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 the 

 foliage, of a bright green color, have a beautiful appearance, 

 tempting the hand to pluck the richly-colored 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 flavorless, 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 color be fixed by alum it fades and dis- 

 appears from the paper. 



The Indian StraAvberry, or Blite, 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 neighbors in the backwoods by gathering the tender 

 leaves and shoots of these plants and preparing them for the 



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