Irish Strawberry tree, Strawberry tree
Arbutus unedo

Family: Ericaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It can be 9 m high. The bark is dark grey-brown. It is rather fibrous and scaly. The trunk is short and the branches twisted. The smaller branches and twigs are reddish. The leaves are alternate and evergreen. The are narrowly oval and taper to the tip and narrow to the base. There are teeth around the edge. The leaves are dark green. The flowers are small and bell-shaped. They are white or pink. They occur in clusters. The fruits are strawberry-like. They are 2.5 cm across. They contain many seeds.

There are 14 Arbutus species. Fruit are rich in niacin, vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Ireland. They need full sun and fertile well-drained soil. It can tolerate reasonable frosts. It can tolerate salt laden winds but not very cold winds. They do not do well on alkaline soils. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Indochina, Ireland, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Morocco, North Africa, North America, Portugal, San Marino, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are usually not eaten raw because they have little taste. They are used for drinks, sweets and other dishes. They can be used for jam.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are sown fresh. They can also be grown from semi-ripe cuttings. Seedlings need protection until established.

It grows slowly. Fruit take 12 months to ripen.

Its other names

Local names

Albatro, Albornial, Arboc, Ayicilegi, Bakhanou, Caithne, Cilek, Dag cilegi, Davulga, Erbedo, Gan'l, Kaucuk davulgasi, Killarney strawberry, Kocakari yemisi, Kocay emis, Kumari-yes, Madrono, Maginja, Magunja, Navadna jagodičnica, Planika, Prva, Sasnou, Yabani cilek

Synonyms

Arbutus pavarii Pamp.; and several others