arbutus-unido-irish-strawberry-tree-kahikatea-farm

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Certified Organic Plant

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Arbutus Unedo

Name: Arbutus Unedo - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Price: 36.00 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

Arbutus unedo

$36.00

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Dense evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean. Grows to 5–10m in height, with a trunk diameter of up to 80cm, although it can often be multi-stemmed. The bark is reddish brown and very attractive. Leaves are dark green and glossy, with a serrated margin. The bell-shaped white flowers have a faint but sweet scent, and are followed by edible red or orange fruit, 2cm in diameter, with a rough surface. Flowers are pollinated by bees and are self-fertile (only one tree is needed for fruit).

PB 5 Height 40 – 60 cm

Cultivation

Arbutus is an easy plant to grow, very adaptable, but most attuned to Mediterranean climates, and grows well in coastal locations, being salt tolerant. It is frost hardy to minus 18 degrees C and drought resistant once established. It is suitable for full sun but also tolerates a lot of shade. It is tolerant of poor soils and although it is in the Ericaceae family it can tolerate some alkalinity.

Uses

One tree can produce about 7-10 kg of fruits. The fruit is edible, raw or cooked, and is sweet but can be a little bland. It contains about 20% sugars and can be used to make delicious and nourishing jams and preserves. It is often made into wines or liqueurs, such as medronho (a type of strong brandy) in Portugal and rakia in Albania. The bark can be used for tanning leather.

The trees are extremely good for attracting tui to your garden, and being evergreen are great in a windbreak. The root system is extensive and can help with soil stabilisation. .

Medicinal Uses

The plant has a long history of use in traditional herbalism. The leaves and fruits are reported to have a high concentration of antioxidants. High consumption of the fruits is said to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other diseases referred to as oxidative stress. The fruit has vitamin C and a high amount of calcium. The red color of the fruit is correlated with high amounts of anthocyanins and cyanidin. The fruits of the plant have been traditionally used as antiseptics, diuretics and laxatives in folk medicine, while the leaves have been used due to their diuretic, urinary antiseptic, antidiarrheal, astringent, depurative and antihypertensive properties.

Primary Actions: diuretic, astringent, depurative, antiseptic

Parts Used: Fruits, leaves, roots

History / Folklore / Further Info

The strawberry tree is the national tree of Italy as it has the same colour as the flag – green (leaves), white (flowers) and red (berries). Its flower is the national flower of Italy. However, its presence in the South-west Ireland (and nowhere else in the British Isles) gives it the name “Irish Strawberry Tree”, or sometimes the ‘Killarney Strawberry Tree’.

Jo Says

I love how the tree has flowers and fruit at the same time, making it really attractive, and also how well adapted it is to our climate. I am using it in various places in the food forest and shelter belts. It can be cut back hard so I’m also starting to plant it in my syntropic rows. All our family enjoy the fruit, the skin is thick but not unpleasant, with an interesting seedy texture, and the blocky fruit has a concentrated sweet flavour.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.