Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Arbutus unedo

Family

Ericaceae

Flowering season

August to December

English distribution

It is found mainly in the South and the Southwest.

It is thinly scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Strawberry-tree

Habitat

It grows in shallow soils and is found in heathland

scrub, rocky woodland and on limestone.

It is also an escape from gardens, parks and amenity

areas.

It can be invasive.

Description

Strawberry-tree is a native, small tree growing

up to 5m.

The flowers are in drooping clusters, bell-shaped,

up to 11mm and white often tinged with pink.

 The 10 stamens have red anthers.

There is a long style with a capitate stigma.

Seeds are formed in globular, warty berries

up to 2cms.

The berries change from green to orange to bright

red.

The flowers are found at the same time as the

previous year’s fruits.

Reproduction is by seed.

The leaves are lanceolate ovals with serrated

edges and up to 11cm.