Arbutus unedo L.

Spice Flowers Flowers 2 Fruit In the field

Family: ERICACEAE

Genus: Arbutus

Catalan common name: Alborçó. Arboç. Arbocer. Arbocera. Cirerer d´arboç. Llipoter.

Spanish common name: Madroñera. Madroño.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Oakforest. Garden plants. Tree heather maquis and silicolous garigues. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Holm oak forest.

Characteristics: The strawberry tree is a bush that can grow into a tree. It is distinguishable for its reddish bark and its leaves with serrated margins. Its spherical fruits are also very characteristic; they are red when they are ripe and edible; the fruits take a year to ripen and coexist with the following year?s flowers. Flowering and fruition take place in autumn.