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Botanical File 4. Winter 2012-2013

The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

Introduction
The Strawberry Tree, or madroo in Spanish, is a small evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the heather family (Ericaceae). Of great importance in Mediterranean vegetation, this species is dominant in a type of shrubland traditionally called a madroal, a name which first appeared in the Tratado de la Montera, (anonymous, XV century). The arbutus is known for its many tradi tional uses. Description This arbutus has leaves that resemble those of the bay, although somewhat smaller, with no aroma and with a dentated margin. It blooms in winter, forming a bunch of bell-shaped white flowers. The fruit is a rough-skinned berry, first yellow and then red when ripe, but with yellow flesh. Ripening of the fruits coincides with flowering (November-December). Ecology This plant is found in the more temperate Mediterranean scrubland, preferably in siliceous soils or in shady enclaves where it can withstand the driest limestone soils. It is affected by extreme cold, although the roots are capable of regrowth after a hard frost. The arbutus is a relict from the laurisilva that covered the Mediterranean before the extension of Mediterranean forests.

Strawberry tree distribution (Taken from Molina et al. 2011)

Strawberry Tree Ethnobotany

Judging from the 156 names and variants given to the arbutus in different Iberian languages, this popular plant has certainly been used widely throughout the history of the Iberian Peninsula (Morales, 1995). According to Maria Moliner, its Spanish name comes from a preroman word related to Merundano. In other languages such as English or German, the name "strawberry tree" probably derives from its red fruits which, at a distance, resemble strawberries. In some places in Spain, strawberries are still called mayuetas or morodos (related to the Spanish madroo). For other authors the name madroo derives from maturao, since the arbutus fruit takes a year to mature. With its glossy leaves, red fruits and white flowers, this lovely tree is easily recognized and has many traditional uses:

Wood
The wood is used to carve utensils such as mortars, bowls, and spoons, while its thin sticks were used for roofing. In Greece, the branches were used to manufacture a type of shepherds flute.

Spoons made from sesnu (strawberry tree in the Berber language) for sale in a Riffean market (Morocco)

Its bark, rich in tannins (up to 36%), can be used for tanning, while its use as firewood has given it quite a bad reputation. In Valencia, there is a folk saying: "If you want to do evil to your wife, give her arbutus firewood". It does however produce excellent charcoal which was traditionally used in forges, and also as charcoal for braziers. In any case, arbutus wood produces more ashes than oak, and is therefore considered of a lower quality. (Morales, 1995).

Arbutus Fruits
These are climacteric fruits, i.e. they can complete their ripening after harvest. They are prized for fresh consumption and for making sweets, jams, spirits and liqueurs. When very ripe, the fruits contain a small amount of alcohol which can produce inebriety (hence its scientific name, unedo, meaning eat just one, or its popular name hervedo which means a person who is boiled or drunken). The arbutus fruits contain about 50% sugar when dried and various antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids and flavonoids, phenolic organic acids and vitamins C and E. They are rich in malic acid and pectin, making them suitable for jams.

The strawberry tree is also an important food for wildlife. In the Tratado de la Montera (XV century) it was highly sought after by bears in the Sierra de Segura. Its seeds have been used as bait for hunting birds (Morales, 1995).

Medicinal uses
The entire strawberry tree contains gallic tannins, resin, flavonoids and glycosides. Arbutoside, which releases hydroquinone when hydrolyzed, has antiseptic and astringent properties. It has been used in medicine, especially the bark and leaves (Morales, 1995 and Verde et al, 2008). These leaves, rich in tannins, have been used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and urological problems. They can be boiled to treat diarrhea or bladder problems and, as an infusion, can also be used as a hypotensive.

Fruits
In Valencia, the root was boiled to treat migraines and memory loss, along with eczema, acne and skin diseases (Pellicer, 2000). The fruit and roots also have medicinal uses, the latter being used to treat diarrhea, to reduce inflammation, or as a diuretic. In Extremadura the bark is boiled to combat hoarseness. The arbutus was considered by Clusius as an antidote against pestilence and poisons. According to Font Quer, "the liquor produced from the distillation of flowers and leaves is an excellent remedy against the pestilence." The fruits are used as a laxative, and the leaves as astringents. In many parts of Spain the fruits are elaborated to make liqueurs and spirits. In Extremadura and Asturias a fruit liqueur is made by first fermenting the fruits for a couple of months (crushed and mixed with water). Then, the pulp is pressed and the molasses obtained is distilled into a liquor of about 40 proof. In other cases, arbutus fruits are simply fermented and filtered to make wine, while a red vinegar containing alcohol can also be elaborated. (Morales, 1995).

Honey
It is a honey plant. Arbutus fruit honey is characterized by its strong and slightly bitter flavor.

Gardening
In Mediterranean gardening, the strawberry tree is valued for its evergreen foliage and flashy fruit. In some countries, e.g. England, it is considered an invasive plant since it has naturalized from ornamental specimens.

Symbology and toponymy

This plant is pictured on the coat of arms of the City of Madrid, together with a bear. In Extremadura, arbutus branches were used as arches to adorn the streets on the Feast of Corpus Christi. The Romans considered the arbutus as sacred, and the sticks were used to chase away witches. In North Africa, these trees were planted near houses as protection against demons, while arbutus branches were placed on coffins (Morales, 1995). Toponymic references appear in numerous places such as El Madroo (Albacete and Seville), Mandrouelo (Huelva), Madrona (Segovia), Sierra Madrona (Ciudad Real).

Other Arbutus
The Greek arbutus (Arbutus andrachne) can be found in the Eastern Mediterranean and is easily recognized by its intense reddish trunk.

Greek Arbutus in the Antalya Mountains (Turkey)

Bibliographical References
Annimo (siglo XV). Tratado de Montera. Edicin comentado por el Duque de Almazn (1936). Edicin facsmil. Ed. Maxtor. 2005 Molina, M., Pardo-de-Santayana, M., Aceituno, L., Morales, R. and Tardo, J. 2011. Fruit production of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) in two Spanish forests. Forestry, 84 (4): 419-429 Moliner, M. 1983. Diccionario del uso del espaol. Edit. Gredos. Madrid Morales, R. (1995). El madroo y sus usos. Quercus, 118: 8-10. Pellicer, J. 2000. Costumari Botnic. Edicions del Bullent. Prez de Castro, J. L. 1976. El aguardiente de madroo en Villayn (Asturias). Revista de Dialectologa y Tradiciones Populares, 32: 441-447. Font Quer, P. 1981. Las plantas medicinales, el Dioscrides renovado. Editorial Labor. Barcelona. 1033 pp. Vaz de Oliveira, I. 2010. Caracterizao fitoqumica de folhas e frutos de Arbutus unedo L. Instituto Politcnico de Bragana. Verde, A., Rivera, D., Fajardo, J., Obn, C., y Cebrin, F. 2008. Gua de las plantas medicinales de Castilla-La Mancha (y otros recursos medicinales de uso tradicional). Altabn Albacete. 528 pp.

Texts and pictures: Jos Fajardo and Alonso Verde