BLI'TUM VIRGA'TUM. 
STRAWBERRY BLITE. 
Class. Order. 
MONANDRIA. DIQVNIA. 
Natural Order. 
CHENOPODIACE £.. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
S. Europe. 
2| feet. 
May to Sep. 
Annual. 
in 1680. 
No. 786. 
Blitum is derived from the Greek bliton, insi- 
pid, in allusion to the insipidity of its berries. 
From these, and the appearance of its leaves, it is 
usually called Strawberry Spinach. 
The plant under consideration will not, we con- 
ceive, be grown on account of its flowers, for they 
rarely meet the notice of the common observer; their 
parts of fructification, consisting of one stamen and 
two styles, are, however, as perfect as in those of 
more specious character ; but they are devoid of 
corolla, that appendage which usually gives beauty 
and pleasure. Here the deficiency is supplied by 
an ornamental berried calyx, placed at the foot of 
the leaf-stalk, which produces a pleasing and rather 
gay effect in the borders. They are very succulent, 
insipid, and harmless; and are said to have been 
used, formerly, in puddings, to give them colour. 
Parkinson says they are full of an excellent juice, 
hut for what purpose he has not mentioned. 
It requires no care in culture, for if once sown, 
and permitted to shed its seeds, young plants will 
not fail to appear every subsequent spring. A 
shady situation prolongs its beauty. 
