# strawberry tree (*Arbutus unedo*) The strawberry tree is a special tree that grows sweet, red fruits that look like strawberries! It has beautiful, white flowers and shiny green leaves, making it a lovely addition to gardens. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Arbutus, Killarney Strawberry Tree ![strawberry tree](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Arbouse.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arbouse.jpg) ## Appearance The strawberry tree has glossy, dark green evergreen leaves and attractive reddish-brown bark that peels in strips. It simultaneously displays delicate white to pinkish bell-shaped flowers and bright red, bumpy, strawberry-like fruits. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Ericaceae - **Genus:** Arbutus ## Interesting facts - Ancient Romans believed its fruit could ward off evil spirits and fevers! - Despite its name, it's not related to actual strawberries at all, belonging to the heath family! - Its fruits take a whole year to ripen, often appearing alongside new flowers on the same branch! - The dense wood was traditionally used to make charcoal and tools, even walking sticks! ## Special abilities - **Fire Rescuer:** The strawberry tree has thick, corky bark that protects it from wildfires, allowing it to resprout afterwards. - **Water Saver:** It has tough, leathery leaves that help it conserve water, allowing it to thrive in dry conditions. - **Seasonal Synchrony:** The strawberry tree blooms and ripens fruit simultaneously, offering continuous food for wildlife. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 500-1500 cm - **Spread:** 400-800 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Fall-winter - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar from its flowers ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before trying any fruit from a tree. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify strawberry tree? Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is strawberry tree? 500-1500 cm ### How wide does strawberry tree spread? 400-800 cm ### How big are the flowers on strawberry tree? 0.5-1 cm ### When does strawberry tree bloom? Fall-winter ### Is strawberry tree edible? Yes ### Is strawberry tree toxic? None ### What is strawberry tree's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/j-ji7em-and-kwulh-marine-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Madison Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madison-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Gutturu Mannu Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gutturu-mannu-regional-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Kolb Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kolb-park) — California, US · Park - [Los Alcornocales Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/los-alcornocales-natural-park) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Monfragüe National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monfrague-national-park) — Mainland, ES · Park [View all places to see strawberry tree](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/strawberry-tree) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Strawberry Tree: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/strawberry-tree)