ROSE FAMILY 



Pyrus: classical name of the Pear-tree. 

 Arbutifolia: combination of Latin words to denote the 

 leaves of the wild strawberry tree. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: damp thicket borders. 



THE SHRUB: erect, sometimes six feet high; the bark red- 

 dish-grey and smooth. 



THE LEAVES: alternate; generally oval with a tendency 

 to be wider at the apex; lacking hairs and shining above; 

 with short, soft hairs beneath ; with an abrupt but tapering 

 point at the apex; somewhat wedge-shaped at the base; 

 on short stems; saw-toothed with sharp, small, red teeth. 



THE FLOWERS: appearing at the same time as the leaves, 

 in cymes which at first are terminal but at length are 

 outdistanced by the young, sterile shoots. They are on 

 hairy stems. The calyx which* is also covered with short, 

 soft hairs, persists after the petals have fallen, turning 

 purplish. The petals five, concave, spreading; stamens 

 numerous, prominent. 



THE FRUIT: a pome, usually nine to eighteen together, 

 bright red when mature, long persistent. 



A spunky shrub that often blooms and produces fruit 

 when only a foot or so high. When at mature height, 

 six feet tall or less, it is a fine sight in the spring, its branches 

 filled with small open, white flowers, surmounted by fresh 

 young leaves The bush is scarcely less handsome later 

 in the season, when its shining green leaves contrast with 

 the numerous bright red berries. 



Var. atropurpurea (Britton) Robinson is also abundant. 

 This has dark, purple fruit. 



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