Blite, or Strawberry Spinach: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the monandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking in the 12th order, Holeraceae. The calyx is trifid; no petals; the seed is one, included in a berry-shaped calyx.

Species. 1. The capitatum, with flowers in clustered heads at the joints and crown of the stalks, is a native of Spain and Portugal, but has been long preserved in the British gardens on account of the beauty of its fruit. It is an annual plant, with leaves somewhat like those of spinach; the stalk rises two feet and a half high; the upper part of the stalk hath flowers coming out in small heads at every joint, and is terminated by a little cluster of the same: after the flowers are past, the heads swell to the size of wood strawberries, and when ripe have the same appearance, but are not eatable; they are full of a purple juice, which stains the hands of those who bruise them a deep purple colour. 2. The virgatum, with small heads growing from the sides of the stalks, is a native of the south of France and Italy. This seldom grows more than a foot high: the leaves are smaller than the first, but of the same shape: the flowers are produced at the wings of the leaves, almost the length of the stalk; they are smaller, and not so deeply coloured as the first. 3. The tartaricum, triangular, acutely indented leaves, is a native of the country from which it takes its name. Mr Miller received the seeds from Petersburg. It rises to very near three feet high; the flowers come out from the sides of the stalks, but are smaller than those of the first, as is also the fruit.

Culture. All these plants, being annuals, must be propagated by seeds; and as they are very hardy, will succeed in the common borders, if sown in March or April, covering the seed about half an inch deep with earth, and leaving the plants five or six inches asunder. When they come up, each must be supported with a small stick, or they will be borne down by the weight of the berries.