n. [ AS. streáwberige; streáw straw + berie berry; perhaps from the resemblance of the runners of the plant to straws. ] (Bot.) A fragrant edible berry, of a delicious taste and commonly of a red color, the fruit of a plant of the genus Fragaria, of which there are many varieties. Also, the plant bearing the fruit. The common American strawberry is Fragaria virginiana; the European, Fragaria vesca. There are also other less common species. [ 1913 Webster ]
Strawberry bass. (Zool.) See Calico bass, under Calico. --
Strawberry blite. (Bot.) See under Blite. --
Strawberry borer (Zool.), any one of several species of insects whose larvae burrow in the crown or roots of the strawberry vine. Especially: (a) The root borer (Anarsia lineatella), a very small dark gray moth whose larvae burrow both in the larger roots and crown, often doing great damage. (b) The crown borer (Tyloderma fragariae), a small brown weevil whose larva burrows in the crown and kills the plant. --
Strawberry bush (Bot.), an American shrub (Euonymus Americanus), a kind of spindle tree having crimson pods and the seeds covered with a scarlet aril. --
Strawberry crab (Zool.), a small European spider crab (Eurynome aspera); -- so called because the back is covered with pink tubercles. --
Strawberry fish (Zool.), the amadavat. --
Strawberry geranium (Bot.), a kind of saxifrage (Saxifraga sarmentosa) having reniform leaves, and producing long runners like those of the strawberry. --
Strawberry leaf. (a) The leaf of the strawberry. (b) The symbol of the rank or estate of a duke, because the ducal coronet is twined with strawberry leaves. “The strawberry leaves on her chariot panels are engraved on her ladyship's heart.” Thackeray. --
Strawberry-leaf roller (Zool.), any one of several species of moths whose larvae roll up, and feed upon, the leaves of the strawberry vine; especially, Phoxopteris fragariae, and Eccopsis permundana. --
Strawberry moth (Zool.), any one of several species of moth whose larvae feed on the strawberry vines; as: (a) The smeared dagger (Apatela oblinita), whose large hairy larva is velvety black with two rows of bright yellow spots on each side. (b) A geometrid (Angerona crocataria) which is yellow with dusky spots on the wings. Called also currant moth. --
Strawberry pear (Bot.), the red ovoid fruit of a West Indian plant of the genus Cereus (Cereus triangularia). It has a sweetish flavor, and is slightly acid, pleasant, and cooling. Also, the plant bearing the fruit. --
Strawberry sawfly (Zool.), a small black sawfly (Emphytus maculatus) whose larva eats the leaves of the strawberry vine. --
Strawberry tomato. (Bot.) See Alkekengi. --
Strawberry tree. (Bot.) See Arbutus. --
Strawberry vine (Bot.), the plant which yields the strawberry. --
Strawberry worm (Zool.), the larva of any moth which feeds on the strawberry vine. [ 1913 Webster ]