{"id":1036,"date":"2023-12-16T12:24:16","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T04:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.org.au\/wp\/?page_id=1036"},"modified":"2024-03-05T19:40:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T11:40:20","slug":"arbutus-unedo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/fruit-trees\/arbutus-unedo\/","title":{"rendered":"Arbutus unedo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arbutus unedo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Names<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-965\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-90-1 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-965 ml-slider ms-theme-default nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"Arbutus unedo\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_965\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_965\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-966 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-966\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/arbutus_ripeining_fruit-rotated.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/arbutus_ripeining_fruit-rotated-300x200.jpeg\" height=\"200\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-965 slide-966\" title=\"maturing fruit\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Origin<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>It is native to Mediterranean countries and western Asia where it can be found growing wild.&nbsp; Portugal is currently the leading global producer of fruit.&nbsp; A little aside &#8211; Madrid\u2019s Coat of Arms contains a bear and a strawberry tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climate<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a long-lived sub-tropical species adapted to open conditions, long hot dry summers and wet winters; nevertheless it can grow in the wet summers of western Ireland where archaeological digs indicate its presence >4000yrs BP. Mature plants respond to drought conditions by reducing leaf exposure and stomatal conductivity.\u00a0 There is strong re-sprouting ability after fires that might have burnt all above-ground parts, and mature trees can tolerate temperatures down to -12<sup>o<\/sup>C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Description<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>An evergreen long-lived shrub or small tree, up to 4-8m tall (often smaller) and about the same width, with reddishbrown bark that becomes flaky with age. The simple <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3256 classtoolTips3256'>glabrous<\/span> dense leaves, light green when <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3293 classtoolTips3293'>juvenile<\/span> and darker when mature, are alternate, leathery, elliptic, 4-10cm long, 2-3cm wide and have a serrated margin. Seedlings have a long taproot and when mature and it\u2019s this feature which enables it to withstand dry periods.&nbsp; The species exhibits wide genetic and morphological variability. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relatives<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Ericaceae Family, with 12 species in the genus. Other plants in the family grown for fruits include blueberry and cranberry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soils<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Provided the soil is well-drained it will grow in most soil types, including those where other species will struggle. A pH range of 5-7.2 is preferred.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Propagation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Seeds are normally used as <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3459 classtoolTips3459'>vegetative<\/span> propagation by <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3202 classtoolTips3202'>cuttings<\/span> can be difficult. There is no <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3218 classtoolTips3218'>dormancy<\/span> so <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3427 classtoolTips3427'>stratification<\/span> is not required.\u00a0 If dried seeds are not stored for too long (ie &lt;2 years), germination at 15<sup>o<\/sup>C is rapid with high success rates (80-90%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cultivars<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Most <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3199 classtoolTips3199'>cultivars<\/span> have been selected on a non-fruiting basis as it is most commonly grown as an attractive ornamental plant. However a few of these produce tasty fruit and when propagated vegetatively will fruit faster and more reliably than seedlings.&nbsp; Some named <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3457 classtoolTips3457'>varieties<\/span> include Compacta (dwarf), Elfin King and Rubra (pink flowers). Studies focussed on optimization of fruiting qualities are virtually non-existent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flowering and Pollination<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p><span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3288 classtoolTips3288'>Inflorescences<\/span> are drooping <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3338 classtoolTips3338'>panicles<\/span> of 15-30 <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3269 classtoolTips3269'>hermaphrodite<\/span> fragrant flowers. There are 5 basally <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3189 classtoolTips3189'>connate<\/span> oval-deltate <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3405 classtoolTips3405'>sepals<\/span>.&nbsp; The 5 creamy-white (sometimes pale pink) petals are joined nearly their full length to form an urn, inside which are 10 <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3417 classtoolTips3417'>stamens<\/span>, with a <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3258 classtoolTips3258'>globose<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3422 classtoolTips3422'>stigma<\/span> and 5 <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3308 classtoolTips3308'>locular<\/span> <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3783 classtoolTips3783'>ovary<\/span>, with each <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3308 classtoolTips3308'>locule<\/span> containing several <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3336 classtoolTips3336'>ovules<\/span>. Pollination is by insects, with bees strongly attracted to the flowers, mainly for <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3676 classtoolTips3676'>nectar<\/span> but also <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3361 classtoolTips3361'>pollen<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cultivation<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the long <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3438 classtoolTips3438'>tap root<\/span>, take care when transplanting.&nbsp; Young plants respond to good watering, whereas mature plants are more conservative in their needs.&nbsp; Water <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3980 classtoolTips3980'>EC<\/span> above 90mS\/m will negatively affect growth.&nbsp; The species prefers full sun but will still fruit with some shade.&nbsp; It usually needs little additional fertilization, but will crop better if watered in dry periods. <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3321 classtoolTips3321'>Mycorrhizal<\/span> associations of the arbutoid type can form that assist in plant nutrition and resistance to unfavourable <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3150 classtoolTips3150'>biotic<\/span> and abiotic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wind Tolerance<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Reasonably wind tolerant if not overly hot and drying.&nbsp; It is even used in some places as a low wind break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pruning<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>It usually develops into a well-rounded dense canopy that needs little attention. Trees may give better yields than bush forms. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Fruit<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>The fruit is a globose <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3148 classtoolTips3148'>berry<\/span>, 1-2cm in diameter, with a pebbled skin that begins green-yellow, then changes to bright red when ripe and has 5-15 small seeds within the flesh. Vitamin C is 2-5 times that of an orange, sugars can be 10-30% depending on <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3457 classtoolTips3457'>variety<\/span>, and health-promoting antioxidant levels are higher than many other fruit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fruit Production and Harvesting<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Fruit take about 12 months to mature and ripen, so you can have fruit and the current season\u2019s flowers on the tree at one time. Mature trees can produce up to 5-10kg\/tree, and fruit are best picked when fully ripe over an extended period in late autumn\/winter.&nbsp; They do not store or transport well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fruit Uses<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Flavour for seedling-grown plants is commonly not appealing.&nbsp; Fruit is commonly made into jams, jellies and marmalades but most is used to produce alcoholic beverages.&nbsp; In native areas, a bitter-flavoured but highly-valued honey is also made. Occasionally there are chance seedling varieties that have better fresh eating qualities, and fruit from these should be picked when fully ripe when there is a reduction in <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3437 classtoolTips3437'>tannins<\/span> and increase in sugars. Historically various plant parts have been used in traditional medicines for all sorts of ailments but there\u2019s a scarcity of scientific studies in humans to reliably establish their value.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pests and Diseases<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>These are not a major problem, but aphids and <em>Phytophthora spp<\/em> can attack plants and birds are attracted to the fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comments<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>The strawberry tree is a most attractive, small evergreen species which looks beautiful in autumn\/winter with masses of both flowers and bright red fruit amongst its dense green foliage. If you plant one for eating fresh, try and ensure it is a <span class='tooltipsall tooltip_post_id_3774 classtoolTips3774'>graft<\/span> or a cutting from a plant you know produces tasty fruit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arbutus unedo Common Names Origin It is native to Mediterranean countries and western Asia where it can be found growing wild.&nbsp; Portugal is currently the leading global producer of fruit.&nbsp; A little aside &#8211; Madrid\u2019s Coat of Arms contains a bear and a strawberry tree. Climate It is a long-lived sub-tropical species adapted to open [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":15,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"iawp_total_views":144,"footnotes":""},"folder":[94],"class_list":["post-1036","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1036"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3979,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1036\/revisions\/3979"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rarefruitclub.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=1036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}