Strawberry trees are evergreen, slow-growing, small trees or shrubs. By the age of 10 they reach a height of 2.5 m, at 45-50 years only 5 m. Life expectancy can reach several hundred years.
Strawberry tree or strawberry, or arbutus is a relict plant. Fossilized strawberry tree trunks were found in Jordan. Mention of strawberries was found in the writings of the ancient Greek scientist and philosopher Theophastus, who lived in the 300s BC. Even then, people were familiar with the features and properties of this tree.
Among some peoples, arbutus is called the apple of Cain because its red fruits were associated with drops of the blood of Abel, who was killed by his brother, Cain.
Plants of this species are common in the Mediterranean, Europe (in particular in Ireland), North America, but the greatest diversity of species is observed in Mexico. In our country it grows on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and on the southern coast of Crimea.
The species is very popular in Madrid, as the symbol of this city is a bear eating strawberries.
There are large-fruited and small-fruited arbutus. The large-fruited plant is grown as a houseplant. Indoor strawberries differ in taste from those growing outdoors. The fruits of the strawberry tree only look like strawberries - its berries have a seed inside, taste almost fresh and are slightly bitter.
They are used to make tasty and nutritious jam, liqueurs and wines. In Portugal, they produce aromatic vodka from the fruits of the strawberry tree called Aguardente de Medronha.
Berries eaten in large quantities are intoxicating and cause severe headaches. Store dried and frozen. The shelf life of dried fruits stored at room temperature is 1-2 years. Strawberry is a good honey plant, but the honey from its flowers turns out to be bitter.
The tree trunk is orange or reddish. The bark changes annually and produces a characteristic rustling sound, for which the plant is nicknamed the “whisperer”. Among some peoples, the arbutus, which annually sheds its bark, is called “shameless.”
This characteristic feature is explained by the fact that trees growing in a hot, humid tropical climate are attacked by parasitic plants (epiphytes) that try to settle in cracks in the bark. Therefore, the strawberry tree is freed from the bark and does not allow epiphytes to take root.
All parts of the strawberry tree are used in medicine. In Europe in the 14th century, an extract from leaves and flowers was considered a remedy against poisons and a cure for the plague. Later, herbalists used the strawberry tree as an astringent and antiseptic. Modern medicine has confirmed these properties.
The bark and leaves of the strawberry tree contain a lot of tannin. The extract from the bark is used for tanning leather, and also as a dye - it gives a brown tint. During the Middle Ages, strawberry bark was used to dye wool from which tapestries were woven.
The wood of the strawberry tree is strong, hard, heavy, does not rot, and has a brownish-white color. It is traditionally used to make jewelry boxes and watch cases.
