Practical
Plants

Arbutus unedo

Strawberry Tree

a deciduous fruit tree or shrub of the Arbutus genus in the family Ericaceae. It makes great firewood and an interesting fruit for alcohol or jam.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Arbutus unedo is a large shrub, which can rarely grow up to 15m tall and wide. Naturally it will grow into a rounded shrub, but with selective pruning can be encouraged to grow as a tree. It has dark green glossy serrated leaves approximately 4-8cm long. Flowers are white and urn shaped and appear in clusters of 10-30. As the tree ages, the dull outer bark peels to reveal red bark beneath. It bears a large amount of small red fruits during autumn.

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Arbutus
Habit
tree, shrub
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
9 m
Spread
8 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
white, pink
Pollinators
insects

Uses

Edible uses

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Fresh
Product or use
Fruit
Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Jam, Jelly
Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Fermented
Product or use
Alcohol

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The strawberry tree is little used in herbalism, though it does deserve modern investigation[14]. All parts of the plant contain ethyl gallate, a substance that possesses strong antibiotic activity against the Mycobacterium bacteria[14]. The leaves, bark and root are astringent and diuretic[23][18][14]. They are also a renal antiseptic[23] and so are of use in the treatment of affections of the urinary system such as cystitis and urethritis[13]. Their astringent action makes them of use in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery and, like many other astringent plants, a gargle can be made for treating sore and irritated throats[13]. The leaves are gathered in the summer and dried for later use[23]. The flowers are weakly diaphoretic[14].

Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Plant part
Leaves, Bark, Roots

Material uses

Plant part
Wood
Plant part
Wood
Product or use
Firewood, Charcoal
Plant part
Bark
Product or use
Tannin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S. Europe and S.W. Ireland.
Habitat
Woodland, scrub and rocky hillsides, often on limestone and sandstone[6][17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

seed

The seed is best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[24]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[3]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[3]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[9], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[29].

cutting

layering

Cna germinate by seed, basal cuttings in late winter[11], by cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December [Britain] in a frame. Poor percentage[24] and also layering of young wood - can take 2 years[1][11].

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No
Cutting Type
hard wood

Cultivation

Requires a nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[2][11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in dry soils. Most species in this genus require a lime-free soil but this species is fairly lime tolerant[2][11]. Succeeds in fairly exposed maritime positions[5][11]. Tolerates industrial pollution[11]. Plants have withstood temperatures down to -16°c without injury at Kew[2]. They grow very well in S.W. England, fruiting well in Cornwall[19][21]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best placed in their final positions whilst young[2][3]. Give them some protection in their first winter.

There are a number of named varieties[8] developed for their ornamental value. 'Elfin King', 'Croomei' and 'Rubra' are all small forms that fruit well when small[7]. The variety 'Rubra' was 1.2 metres tall at Kew in late 1990 and was laden down with fruits and flowers[K]. 'Elfin King' only reaches a height of 1 metre, comes into bearing when young and fruits well[8]. It is ideal for container culture[8]. 'Croomei' is said to be a more reliable fruiting form[19].

Crops

The strawberry tree flowers in November and December, the fruit takes 12 months to ripen and so the tree carries both mature fruit and flowers at the same time and is incredibly beautiful at this time. The flowers have a soft honey scent[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 32202/01/01

  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 32202/01/01

    ↩

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 32202/01/01 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  14. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

  17. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 32202/01/01

    ↩

  19. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩1↩2

  20. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

  21. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

    ↩

  22. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

  23. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  25. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

  26. www.cernunnos.es Cernunnos (2012/07/26)

    • www.cernunnos.es

  27. Fern, Ken www.pfaf.org Plants For a Future (2012/07/27)

    • www.pfaf.org

  28. Cernunnos 2012/07/26 www.cernunnos.es

  29. Fern, Ken Plants For a Future 2012/07/27 www.pfaf.org

    ↩

  30. Wikipedia 2012/07/27 www.wikipedia.org

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