Arbutus unedo

For other strawberry trees, see Strawberry tree (disambiguation).

Arbutus unedo
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Arbutus
Species:
A. unedo
Binomial name
Arbutus unedo
L. 1753
Distribution map.
  ✖ Native range.
  ▲ Introduced and naturalized (synanthropic).
Synonyms
Synonymy
  • Unedo edulis Hoffmanns.
  • Arbutus vulgaris Bubani
  • Arbutus cassinifolia Steud.
  • Arbutus crispa Hoffmanns.
  • Arbutus croomii auct.
  • Arbutus integrifolia Sims
  • Arbutus intermedia Heldr. ex Nyman
  • Arbutus laurifolia L.f.
  • Arbutus microphylla auct.
  • Arbutus nothocomaros Heldr. ex Nyman
  • Arbutus procumbens Kluk ex Besser
  • Arbutus salicifolia (Lodd.) Cels ex Hoffmanns.
  • Arbutus serratifolia Salisb.
  • Arbutus turbinata Pers. ex Rchb.

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as strawberry tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the Mediterranean Basin and Western Europe. The tree is well known for its fruits, the arbutus berry, which bear some resemblance to the strawberry, hence the common name strawberry tree.[2][3][4] However, it is not closely related to true strawberries of the genus Fragaria.

Its presence in Ireland also lends it the name "Irish strawberry tree", or cain, or cane apple (from the Irish name for the tree, caithne[5]), or sometimes "Killarney strawberry tree". The strawberry tree is the national tree of Italy because of its green leaves, its white flowers and its red berries, colors that recall the Italian flag.[6] The flower of the strawberry tree is the national flower of Italy.[7]

  1. ^ Khela, S.; Rivers, M.C. (2017). "Arbutus unedo". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T202930A68076133. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T202930A68076133.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Rydelek, Jared (2014). "Fruits & Vegetables: Strawberry Tree Fruit". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Arbutus unedo | strawberry tree". RHS Gardening. The Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Arbutus unedo". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  5. ^ "cane apple". Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
  6. ^ "Il corbezzolo simbolo dell'Unità d'Italia. Una specie che resiste agli incendi". Altovastese (in Italian). 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Il fiore nazionale dell'Italia (e quello degli altri Paesi del mondo)". MSN (in Italian). Retrieved 26 August 2024.