Strawberry Tree

Ornamental evergreen tree/shrub with year-round interest, displaying flowers and fruits simultaneously in autumn. Excellent for Mediterranean and coastal gardens, providing structure, screening, and wildlife value. Tolerates shade, drought, and salt spray. Multi-stemmed form creates sculptural specimens with distinctive cinnamon-red peeling bark.

Leaves and bark contain tannins with astringent properties, traditionally used for treating diarrhea, urinary infections, and throat ailments. Fruit considered antiseptic and diuretic in folk medicine. Leaves used in traditional remedies for hypertension and diabetes. Modern research shows antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Fruits edible when fully ripe (bright red), with sweet-tart flavor and grainy texture reminiscent of figs. Best processed into jams, jellies, and liqueurs rather than eaten fresh. Portuguese make traditional 'medronho' brandy from fermented fruits. Can be used in pastries, yogurts, and vinegars. High in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Important late-season nectar source when few other plants flower (October-December). Fruits provide winter food for birds, especially thrushes and blackbirds. Dense evergreen canopy offers year-round shelter for wildlife. Pioneer species in Mediterranean ecosystems, improving soil and facilitating succession. Fire-resistant and regenerates from base after burning.

Evergreen tree/shrub to 8m with dark green, leathery, serrated leaves 4-10cm long. Distinctive red-brown bark peeling in strips. White or pink urn-shaped flowers in drooping clusters appear with previous year's fruits. Warty, spherical fruits 2cm diameter turn from yellow through orange to red. Flowers and fruits present simultaneously in autumn.

Wood is hard, fine-grained, and reddish-brown, historically used for charcoal production. Suitable for turnery, small carved items, and tool handles. Not commercially significant due to small size and twisted growth. Traditional use in Mediterranean regions for firewood. Bark once used for tanning leather due to high tannin content.

Name 'unedo' means 'I eat one only' - attributed to Pliny suggesting moderate consumption. National tree of Italy, featured on coat of arms of Madrid. Unusual in flowering and fruiting simultaneously, taking a full year for fruits to ripen. Fruits can ferment on tree, making birds 'drunk'. Symbol of immortality in ancient cultures due to evergreen nature.