Ericaceae FAMILY
Arbutus unedo
Arbutus unedo
Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
3/5
Safety & Hazards
None known
Botanical Description
Arbutus unedo is an evergreen shrub or a tree that usually grows 3 - 9 metres tall, exceptionally to 12 metres in the wild[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials - the fruit is sometimes sold in local markets, especially in N. Africa. It is much grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its attractive form and for its display of both flowers and fruits at the same time of the year.
Habitat & Origin
Origintemperate
Native RangeSouthwest Europe (southern Ireland), Mediterranean.
HabitatWoodland, scrub and rocky hillsides, often on limestone and sandstone[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. , 45 Title Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Publication Author Polunin. O. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1980 ISBN 0-19-217626-9 Description A good pocket flora, it also lists quite a few plant uses. ].