Herb: Grecian StrawberryTree


Latin name: Arbutus andrachne


Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)



Edible parts of Grecian StrawberryTree:

Fruit - raw or cooked. A luscious, juicy texture with a sweet but insipid flavour. Many people do not like eating more than a few of the raw fruits, though I find them very acceptable. They make a good cooked fruit in preserves etc. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Tree

Height:
6 m
(20 feet)

Flowering:
March
to April

Scent:
Scented
Tree

Habitat of the herb:

Evergreen scrub and rocky slopes on limestone, serpentine and igneous rocks in areas that are very dry in summer.

Other uses of Grecian StrawberryTree:

Plants can be grown as a hedge, they are tolerant of some trimming. Wood - hard, close-grained.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°C. Seedlings are prone to damp off, they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in late winter. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage. Layering of young wood - can take 2 years.

Cultivation of Grecian StrawberryTree:

Evergreen scrub and rocky slopes on limestone, serpentine and igneous rocks in areas that are very dry in summer.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Arbutus andrachne:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.