Monday, December 19, 2016

UW Botanic Gardens December Plant Profile Of Strawberry Tree


Each month the UW Botanic Gardens' Newsletter, E-Flora, posts in detail about a specific plant, among many other interesting posts about events and general information.

This month's featured plant is the Arbutus unedo or Strawberry Tree.
 
Here is the posting:

December Plant Profile: Arbutus unedo
Arbutus unedo

Except for their bright red fruits and similar common names, the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) and the Strawberry (Fragraria spp.) have nothing in common.

This tree is valued as an ornamental broadleaf evergreen for gardens and it has a long history of appreciation in Western cultures. Learn more about the landscape value and interesting cutural history of this month's plant pick.

Common Names: Strawberry Tree, Cain Apple and Bearberry (English), MadroƱhiero (Portugese), MadroƱos, (Spanish), Corbezzolo (Italian), Koumaria (Greek), Caithne (Gaelic for Cain Apple)
 Genus: Arbutus 
 Species: unedo
 Family: Ericaceae
 Locations: A. unedo ‘Rubra’ (3) just off Arboretum Dr. S. of Fiddleheads Forest School classroom (652-60*C-E, 20-3E & 21-3E), A. unedo (6) between Graham Visitors Center parking lot and South Patio, Aunedo at the head of Rhododendron Glen (1018-37*A-F, 11-8E & 12-8E). The variety ‘Compacta’ is planted south of the entry drive at the Center for Urban Horticulture.
 Origin: Ireland, Southern to Eastern Europe, Turkey, Syria and some parts of North Africa.
 Height and Spread: can reach 30’ tall by 25’ wide, but is typically about 15-20’ tall with a 10-15’ spread to the crown.
 Bloom Time: early autumn through late winter

No comments: