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Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
Photo: Tylwyth Eldar, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 3 countries shrub symbol: Italy

Strawberry tree

Arbutus unedo

Family: Ericaceae

On our map this plant appears in 3 countries and ranks highest in: Ireland, Italy, Portugal.

An evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, toothed leaves and reddish, peeling bark. It flowers in autumn with white, urn-shaped blooms, while at the same time last year’s red, warty fruits ripen. The fruits are edible but bland – the Latin unedo is translated as “I eat only one”. The strawberry tree is a typical component of maquis, regrows quickly after fires, and its flowers yield a prized, slightly bitter honey.

Description from: Italy.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Ireland no. 4 of 8 introduced or naturalised

    Ireland is the northernmost place where the strawberry tree grows wild – an example of the so-called Lusitanian flora, whose origin is still debated by scientists.

  2. Italy no. 4 of 10 native

    Unofficial national symbol of Italy – the colours of the tricolour

    During the Risorgimento the strawberry tree was hailed as a symbol of a united Italy because it combines all three colours of the flag; Giovanni Pascoli celebrated it in his poem “Al corbezzolo”.

  3. Portugal no. 9 of 10 native

    The medronheiro grows wild in the mountains of the Algarve, and distilling aguardente de medronho in home stills is a centuries-old tradition of the Serra de Monchique and the Serra do Caldeirão.