Rose Tribe
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).—It is believed that no hurt is so hard of healing as from a blackthorn. Also blackthorn winter is supposed to bring fresh cold in spring, when the bushes almost look as if clothed by hoar-frost.
Wild Cherry (P. Avium).—The fine, tall, shapely trees put on their bridal show in the woods of Cranbury and Ampfield.
Bird-Cherry (P. Padus).—Not very common. There is one in the grounds at Otterbourne House, but it is not certainly wild.
Meadow-Sweet (Spiræa Ulmaria).—Raising its creamy cymes of blossoms in every ditch where there is a little moisture.
Dropwort (S. Filipendula).—On the borders of Pitt Down and Crab Wood.
Agrimony (Agrimonia Eupatoria).—Long yellow spikes in all dry hedges.
Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis).—Chalk-pit by Sparrow Grove, also Dane Lane, where the green balls with tiny red blossoms may be found, and sometimes the green and crimson burnet moth.
Barren Strawberry (Potentilla Fragariastrum).—How often has “mustn’t pick the strawberry blossom” been quoted to this delusive little white cinquefoil in early spring, when it peeps out among leaves very like strawberry-leaves in the hedge.
Tormentil (P. Tormentilla).—This is now ranged among the cinquefoils, though it has only four petals, owing perhaps to the very dry barren heathy soil it brightens with its stars.
Cinquefoil (P. repens).—A smiling pentagon star by the wayside.
Silver-Weed or Goose-Grass (P. anserina).—Why dedicated to geese, even in Latin, it is hard to say. Silver-weed is more appropriate to the silver-grey leaves that border road-sides, sometimes with golden flowers.
Marsh Cinquefoil (Comarum palustre).—A prize in Baddesley bog, unless drains have banished its pure flower.
Wood Strawberry (Fragaria vesca).—Profuse in Cranbury and on banks of railway at Sparrow Grove.
Wild Raspberry (Rubus Idæus).—Cranbury, near the road.
Wild Blackberry (R. fruticosus).—Brambles, of course, everywhere, but it is impossible to pass them without a tribute to their beauty, in flower, in fruit, and, above all, in autumn foliage.
Dewberry (R. cæsius).—What is probably dewberry grows by the roadway through Mallibar Copse.
(R. leucostratus).—Roman Road and Cranbury Common.
Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum).—Insignificant yellow flower.
Water Avens (G. rivale).—Quaint little ruddy half-expanded blossoms, called by the villagers Granny’s Night-caps.
(G. intermedium).—Really intermediate—probably hybrid. Found once in a copse between Boyatt Lane and the Southampton Road.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla arvensis).—Crabwood.
Sweet-Briar (Rosa rubiginosa).—Copse by pond, Cranbury.
Dog-Rose (R. canina).—With handsomer hips.
White Dog-Rose (R. arvensis).
Hawthorn (Cratægus monogyna).—Who does not love when the blossoms cover them like snow-drift? Well are they called May.
Mountain Ash (Pyrus Aucuparia).—This rowan-tree of Scotland has no weird horrors here, but it is the ornament of the woods, with white cymes, red berries, and feathery leaves.
Crab-Tree (P. Malus).—Romsey Road, where the pinky blossoms show opposite Cranbury Gate.
Whitebeam (P. Aria).—Grey or white leaves shine out in Ampfield Wood.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).—Ophelia’s long purples adorn the water-courses in the Itchen mead.