Rockrose_botanic_file arbutus unedo

7/30/2019 Rockrose_botanic_file arbutus unedo

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Botanical File 4. Winter 2012-2013

The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

IntroductionThe Strawberry Tree, or madroo in Spanish, is a small evergreen tree orshrub belonging to the heather family (Ericaceae). Of great importance inMediterranean vegetation, this species is dominant in a type of shrublandtraditionally 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.

DescriptionThis arbutus has leaves that resemble those of the bay, although somewhatsmaller, 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-skinnedberry, first yellow and then red when ripe, but with yellow flesh.Ripening of the fruits coincides with flowering (November-December).

EcologyThis plant is found in the more temperate Mediterranean scrubland, preferablyin siliceous soils or in shady enclaves where it can withstand the driestlimestone soils. It is affected by extreme cold, although the roots are capable ofregrowth after a hard frost. The arbutus is a relict from the laurisilva thatcovered the Mediterranean before the extension of Mediterranean forests.

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


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Strawberry Tree EthnobotanyJudging from the 156 names and variants given to the arbutus in different Iberianlanguages, this popular plant has certainly been used widely throughout the history ofthe Iberian Peninsula (Morales, 1995). According to Maria Moliner, its Spanish namecomes from a preroman word related to Merundano. In other languages such as

English or German, the name "strawberry tree" probably derives from its red fruitswhich, at a distance, resemble strawberries. In some places in Spain, strawberries arestill called mayuetas or morodos (related to the Spanish madroo). For otherauthors the name madroo derives from maturao, since the arbutus fruit takes ayear to mature. With its glossy leaves, red fruits and white flowers, this lovely tree iseasily recognized and has many traditional uses:

WoodThe wood is used to carve utensils such as mortars, bowls, and spoons, while its thinsticks were used for roofing. In Greece, the branches were used to manufacture a typeof 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, whileits use as firewood has given it quite a bad reputation. In Valencia, there is a folksaying: "If you want to do evil to your wife, give her arbutus firewood". It doeshowever produce excellent charcoal which was traditionally used in forges, and also ascharcoal for braziers. In any case, arbutus wood produces more ashes than oak, and

is therefore considered of a lower quality. (Morales, 1995).

Arbutus FruitsThese are climacteric fruits, i.e. they can complete their ripening after harvest. Theyare 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 produceinebriety (hence its scientific name, unedo, meaning eat just one, or its popularname hervedo which means a person who is boiled or drunken). The arbutus fruitscontain about 50% sugar when dried and various antioxidant compounds such ascarotenoids and flavonoids, phenolic organic acids and vitamins C and E.They are rich in malic acid and pectin, making them suitable for jams.


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The strawberry tree is also an important food for wildlife. In the Tratado de laMontera (XV century) it was highly sought after by bears in the Sierra de Segura. Itsseeds 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 andastringent 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 usedin folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and urological problems. They can be boiled totreat diarrhea or bladder problems and, as an infusion, can also be used as ahypotensive.

Fruits

In Valencia, the root was boiled to treat migraines and memory loss, along witheczema, acne and skin diseases (Pellicer, 2000). The fruit and roots also havemedicinal uses, the latter being used to treat diarrhea, to reduce inflammation, or as adiuretic. In Extremadura the bark is boiled to combat hoarseness. The arbutus wasconsidered by Clusius as an antidote against pestilence and poisons. According to FontQuer, "the liquor produced from the distillation of flowers and leaves is an excellentremedy 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. InExtremadura and Asturias a fruit liqueur is made by first fermenting the fruits for acouple of months (crushed and mixed with water). Then, the pulp is pressed and themolasses obtained is distilled into a liquor of about 40 proof. In other cases, arbutusfruits are simply fermented and filtered to make wine, while a red vinegar containingalcohol can also be elaborated. (Morales, 1995).

HoneyIt is a honey plant. Arbutus fruit honey is characterized by its strong and slightly bitterflavor.

GardeningIn Mediterranean gardening, the strawberry tree is valued for its evergreen foliage andflashy fruit. In some countries, e.g. England, it is considered an invasive plant since it

has naturalized from ornamental specimens.


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Symbology and toponymyThis 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 theFeast of Corpus Christi. The Romans considered the arbutus as sacred, and the stickswere 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 ElMadroo (Albacete and Seville), Mandrouelo (Huelva), Madrona (Segovia), SierraMadrona (Ciudad Real).

Other ArbutusThe Greek arbutus (Arbutus andrachne) can be found in the Eastern Mediterraneanand 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. Fruitproduction 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 deDialectologa 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 plantasmedicinales de Castilla-La Mancha (y otros recursos medicinales de uso tradicional).Altabn Albacete. 528 pp.

Texts and pictures: Jos Fajardo and Alonso Verde

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