Scientific name - Arbutus unedo

Arbutus is of Celtic origin would = harsh butus = shrub; unedo derived from the Latin unus = one, Edo = eating.

Popular names - Strawberry Tree lendj, arbousier.

Distribution and Habitat - original species of the Mediterranean basin from the Atlantic to Ireland costele.

Description - evergreen shrub originating in Southern Ireland and Mediterranean regions, grows slowly, up to 3 to 10 m, reddish bark, young branches are red-hot, dense crown. Leaves alternate, elliptic-lanceolata, 5-10 cm long, parties, except ribs smooth, glossy dark green, pinnate nervatiune. Flowers white to pale pink, sometimes stained with red, 5-10 mm long, campanulata, odorless, located in the panicule 5 cm long, anther clocks. Global Fruit capsule, red orange, 2 cm in diameter, appear at the same time as flowering in autumn. Flowers from October to January.

Tolerances - alkali soil, industrial pollution, is fire resistant and is used for reforestation and soil protection.

Requirements - grows well in well drained soil, clay, with exhibition sunny, poor and acidic soils. Species xerophytes.

Management - fences are suitable for you, is necasara making regular mowing. In regions with cold winters is bie to be protected from winter frost.

Propagation - the seeds in March, or semi-lignificati seedlings in July, on a sandy field, wet is fertilizeaza regularly.

Diseases and pests - Chrexes jasius larvae.

Natural partners and Garden --20041/Chamaerops_humilis "target =" _blank "> Chamaerops humilis, Myrtus communis, Olea europaea, Phillyrea angustifolia, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus ilex, Quercus suber.

Cultivars and varieties - 'Compact', 'Elfin King', 'Marina'.

Properties and Uses - a fruit and leaves contain tannin anthocyan (37%) antidiareice properties, anti-inflammatory, stimulating blood. A decoction din 20 g of leaves in one liter of water is indicated dose. The seeds contain 39% oil siccative. Flowers sudorific properties. Fruits containing vitamin C. The roots are depurative and decongestants.

The leaves are astringent properties, slightly antiseptic and diuretic. Be collected in May-August, just leaves a year, are dried in the shade in thin layers and preserved in paper bags.

For inflammation of the intestines, kidneys and the bladder is an infusion of 2 g dried leaves in 100 ml of water, drink two to three cups a day.

From seeds to obtain a fatty oil used in the manufacture of paints.

In Corsica, the fruit of Arbutus unedo are cooked wine.

Bark contains tannins used in industry for preparation of dyes.

Myth, legend and folklore - this plant does esteem and white flowers symbolize hospitality.

References

Andy McIndoe - Shrubs - Horticulture Books, 2005

Diana Miller - 400 Trees and Shrubs for Small Spaces - Timber Press, 2008

Kristo Pienaar - The South African 'What Flower is That' - Struik Publishers, 2003

Linda Beutler, Allan Mandell - Garden to Vase - Timber Press, 2007

Michael A. Dirr - Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm climates - Timber Press, 2002

The Garden Club of America, Janet Meakin Poor - Plants That Merit Attention - Trees - Timber Press, 1985

Vincent Savolainen, Murielle Fige - Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants - Springer, 2004