58 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Geum. L. 11. 12. 



G. rivale. L. Avens Root, or Water Avens. Pubescent, 

 stem simple, erect, about 2 feet high, with a few nodding flowers, 

 dark-colored ; radical leaves lyrate, with a large-lobed terminal 

 leafet ; calyx reddish brown, closely erect, confining the veined 

 yellowish petals ; fruit with long feathery awns ; blossoms in June, 

 grows in wet meadows. Supposed by the common people to 

 possess valuable medicinal properties. 



The two other species of Geum, Strictum, Ait., and Virgin- 

 ianum, L., grow in woods and swamps, or along banks of streams, 

 but are of little importance. 



Agrimonia. L. 11. 2. 

 A. eupatoria. L. Agrimony. A hairy plant of 2 feet in 

 height, with leaves interruptedly pinnate ; flowers in a spike long 

 and hairy, scattered and yellow ; grows by fences and hedges, 

 blooms in June ; astringent and tonic. 



Fragaria. L. 11. 12. Strawberry. 



F. Virginiana. L. Common Strawberry. Its short stem, 

 white flowers, and agreeable fruit, are well known. It is con- 

 sidered by Linnaeus as a spurious berry, as the seeds project from 

 the enlarged and fleshy receptacle. It is one of the most de- 

 licious of our native fruits. 



F. Canadensis. Mx. Mountain or Woods Strawberry. This 

 is larger than the other, the leafets broader, the peduncles 

 longer and recurved, pendulous, while in the other only the 

 berry is pendulous ; berry longer and tapering, and less finely fla- 

 vored. Woods and hills. 



F. vesca. L. Garden Strawberry. Remarkable for sending 

 out its runners ; introduced from England, and several varieties 

 cultivated for the large delicious fruit. It is singular that some 

 of the plants bear barren flowers, blossom abundantly, but bear no 

 fruit. It becomes necessary to destroy them, and replace them 

 by the fertile variety. 



