CHAPTER n. 



THE STRAWBERRY.-Fragauia 



NATURAL FAMILY BosaceCB. 



[Name derived from fragrans, perfumed in referenco to the fragrance of the 

 fhiit. French, Frasier ; German, Erdbeei^rflanze ; Dutch, Aadbezie ; Italian, 

 Piania di fragola ; Spanish, Freza. The name of StrawbeiT}- is said by Pryor 

 to be derived from the Anglo Saxon Streoberle,'' either from its straw-like 

 haulms, or from their laying strown upon the ground. Other authors give differ- 

 ent derivations.] 



GENERAL CHARACTERS. 



Calyx flat or reflexed, deeply five-cleft, ^ith the same 

 number of bractlets, thus appearing to be ten-cleft. Petals 

 five, white, erect, spreading. Stamens many, usually about 

 twenty. Pistils numerous, adhering at the base to the 

 small seed-like fruits, these are situated on the fleshy re- 

 ceptacle, which enlarges and becomes what is generally 

 called the fruit or berry. Increased by seeds, runners and 

 divisions of the roots. Stemless perennials, with or without 

 runners. Leaves radical, divided into three leaflets, obovate 

 wedge-form, coarsely serrate, evergreen. Koot fibrous, 

 rather woody, perennial. 



SPECIES 



iFragaria rcsca,— Edible Strawberry, Alpine Straw- 

 berry, Wood Strawberry, &c. — Seeds superficial, on the 

 conical or hemispherical fruiting receptacle (not sunk in a 

 cavity). Flower stalks longer than the leaves, erect, hairy, 

 hairs closely pressed upward. Fruit drooping, usually con- 

 ical, sometimes globular. Leaves thin, pale green ; upper 

 surface uneven, slightly wavy. Native of Europe and 

 America. 



