Arbutus unedo

• Strawberry Tree

Botanical description

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.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Can germinate by seed, basal cuttings in late winter^[15], by cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December [Britain] in a frame. Poor percentage^[16] and also layering of young wood - can take 2 years^[17][15].

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^[16]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps^[18]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°C^[18]. Seedlings are prone to damp off^[19], 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^[1].

Rooted cuttings

Cultivation

Requires a nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young^[20][15]. 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^[20][15]. Succeeds in fairly exposed maritime positions^[21][15]. Tolerates industrial pollution^[15]. Plants have withstood temperatures down to -16°c without injury at Kew^[20]. They grow very well in S.W. England, fruiting well in Cornwall^[22][23]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best placed in their final positions whilst young^[20][18]. Give them some protection in their first winter.

There are a number of named varieties^[24] developed for their ornamental value. 'Elfin King', 'Croomei' and 'Rubra' are all small forms that fruit well when small^[25]. 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^[24]. It is ideal for container culture^[24]. 'Croomei' is said to be a more reliable fruiting form^[22].

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^[26].

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Arbutus unedo. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Arbutus unedo.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

References

1. ? ^1.01.1 Fern, Ken www.pfaf.org Plants For a Future (2012/07/27)
2. ? ^2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
3. ? ^3.03.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (32202/01/01)
4. ? ^4.04.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (32202/01/01)
5. ? ^{5.05.15.25.35.45.5} Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
6. ? www.cernunnos.es Cernunnos (2012/07/26)
7. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named oregonstate
8. ? ^8.08.18.2 Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (32202/01/01)
9. ? ^9.09.19.2 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (32202/01/01)
10. ? ^{10.010.110.210.310.4} Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
11. ? ^11.011.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
12. ? ^12.012.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
13. ? ^{13.013.113.213.313.4} Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (32202/01/01)
14. ? ^14.014.114.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (32202/01/01)
15. ? ^{15.015.115.215.315.415.515.6} Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
16. ? ^16.016.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (32202/01/01)
17. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
18. ? ^18.018.118.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (32202/01/01)
19. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (32202/01/01)
20. ? ^{20.020.120.220.320.4} Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)
21. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (32202/01/01)
22. ? ^22.022.1 Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()
23. ? Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. ()
24. ? ^24.024.124.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
25. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (32202/01/01)
26. ? ^26.026.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (32202/01/01)
27. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (32202/01/01)

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