This small, branching shrub grows between 2 and 5 feet in height; it is woody-fibred, and the bark is reddish-gray in color.
The leaf is small, and oval, with an abruptly pointed tip, tapering to the base, the margin being finely toothed, with a smooth and shining surface. Its color is dark green. The leaves, on short stems, are placed alternately.
The 5 round petals of the flower have little claw-like bases, and are white in color; the many stamens are also white, with light red tips; the pistil is 5-parted. The flowers are set on light green foot-stems, and arranged in almost flat-topped clusters from the ends of the branches.
This neat and tidy looking leaf always shines as though just washed in dew. The pretty flower-clusters resemble plum blossoms.
CHOKE BERRY: Pyrus arbutifolia.
| Wild Strawberry. | Fragaria Virginiana. |
Found during May and June in pastures, and fields, and copse-borders.
The leaf and flower stems, from 6 to 8 inches high, spring from the root, with dry sheaths enclosing them at the ground.
The leaf is compound, the 8 leaflets wedge-shaped; the margin is deeply toothed, and the many ribs show plainly; loose of texture, and roughened underneath with hairs. In color a rich strong green, paler beneath, sometimes reddish, or pink. The stem is hairy; green, and reddish near the foot.