Strawberry tree, or strawberry, Arbutus is an evergreen plant belonging to the heather family. It can grow in the form of a tree or shrub. More than 20 species are known to grow in the Mediterranean and North America. Some species grow in the Crimea and Transcaucasia.
Strawberry tree belongs to the most beautiful trees on the planet. No wonder it is he who is planted on the central alleys of parks in cities with an appropriate climate. Strawberries are decorative at any time of the year. The height of the trees varies from 5 to 10 m, the branches are curiously curved. The leaves of this plant are jagged, whole, large, leathery, deep green in color.
Large-fruited strawberries blooms at an unusual time - in the fall. Spreading flowering, i.e. at the same time, flowers and fruits of various stages of ripening grow on a tree. Young fruits of green color, ripening, they turn yellow, and then turn red. In Mediterranean countries it bears fruit almost continuously, except for a short hot period.
The flowers are medium-sized, located in apical panicles, milky white in color, requiring pollination.
The structure of the flowers is unusual, in some ways they resemble houses with transparent windows. The insect, which has sat on the flower, gets inside the "house", and in order to get out, he has to climb inside the flower. As a result of these movements, a sufficient amount of pollen is collected on its paws, which it transfers to other flowers.
Strawberry tree is interesting in how it is able to self-clean. The bark of the plant is updated annually. In the summer, last year's crust, which has a reddish-brown color, is first covered with cracks, and then exfoliates. During this period, strawberries look very original - the trunk is covered in brown curls. In those places where the old bark has already exfoliated, the trunk is pistachio-green in color. And since the old bark is replaced at the same time, a certain part of the year looks like an unusual strawberry tree. The photo shows this process well.
The color of the trunk is gradually changing. By the next summer, it again becomes reddish-brown and everything starts again. When dropping the bark, crackling comes from the arbutus. For this property, trees in America are called whispers, and in the Crimea - shameless.
Strawberry tree got its name from the similarity of fruits with strawberries. In fact, the strawberry fruit is a multi-seeded berry-like drupes. The pink-red balls taste sweetish. They can be used to make wine, jams, preserves, liquors and desserts. In fresh form, you can only eat the fruits of large-fruited strawberries.
Arbutus is practically not affected by diseases and pests. Strawberry diseases have nothing to do with strawberries. They are related only by a consonant name.
The wood of this tree can be used to make furniture, various crafts. The leaves also found application - they are used for tanning the skin. Honey plant, undemanding to the soil. Propagated by seeds, and if necessary, root apical cuttings can be rooted.
Arbutus is grown as an indoor or greenhouse plant.