13018 Arbutus unedo – Strawberry Tree

Description

The South European sclerophyllus plant is especially attractive being cultivated as a tub plant, for its evergreen leaves, buds, flowers and fruits appear simultaneously. Having the size of a cherry, the berry-like fruits take 1-2 years to mature, so that new buds and the beautiful, whitish flowers shine through the deep green, older leaves. In former times, looms were made from the valuable wood of the tree. In southern France the Arbutus wood is mixed with holm oak wood and processed into valuable firewood. In Portugal, brandy (the Medronho) is made from the berries of the plant.