Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo

Strawberry Tree

Wendy Cutler from Vancouver, Canada

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ericaceae
Genus:
Arbutus
Species:
Arbutus unedo

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
12-20 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
oct, dec
Bloom Colors:
pink, red, white

Native Range

United States: Washington

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Elegant sphinx (Sphinx perelegans), Walter's saturnia moth (Saturnia walterorum)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to Mediterranean regions with poor, rocky soils