Strawberry tree
Arbutus unedo

The fruit of Arbutus unedo is edible. However, the name ‘unedo’ is thought to come from the Latin unum edo or 'I eat one' as you wouldn't particularly want a second. Strawberry tree fruits mainly serve as food for birds but in some countries, they are used to make jam and liqueurs, such as the Portuguese medronho, a kind of strong brandy.

Arbutus unedo has a bizarrely scattered habitat. Mainly distributed around the warm climes of Mediterranean, it can also be found in the north of France and the west coast of Ireland and is still relatively common by Lake Killarney. However, it rarely grows wild or produces fruit outside of the warmer Mediterranean regions.

The wood burns well as charcoal and the wholesale felling of the tree for this purpose has led to its patchy distribution today. In the UK, where it is planted for its ornamental value, it is often too cold for the fruits to ripen.

More facts:

• The flowers of Strawberry tree are hermaphrodite (have both male & female organs)
• Used in folk medicine as an antiseptic, astringent, intoxicant, rheumatism, and tonic
• The tree makes up part of the Coat of arms of Madrid (El oso y el madroño, The Bear and the Strawberry Tree)

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