Is it a native?
Strawberry Tree - introduced (*Arbutus unedo)
Other names: Irish Strawberry.
Family: Ericaceae (Erica family).
Native of Europe.
Occurrence: Occasional bushland weed.
Identification:
- it grows to a small evergreen spreading tree
- it has small bell-shaped off-white flowers
- the fruit are red and cherry-sized with a rough outer surface.
Strawberry Tree a common garden plant. Seed is carried into bushland by birds.
The name, Strawberry Tree, refers to the rough-surfaced fruit. It is unrelated to the garden strawberry. The specific name, unedo is said by Pliny to be derived from unum edo, I ate one, but never a second.
Photos:
Right. Strawberry Tree in flower. Garden specimen, Castlemaine.
Below 1: Ripe fruit. IGA Maxi supermarket, Castlemaine.
2: Leaves, showing the upper and lower surfaces.
4: Sapling weed in Kaweka Reserve
5: Unripe fruit. Castlemaine.