Fauna
Plant

Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo

Also known as Killarney Strawberry Tree, Irish Strawberry Tree, Cane Apple

Strawberry trees display a striking seasonal cycle, bearing nodding, bell-shaped white blossoms and mature, bumpy scarlet berries simultaneously in late autumn. Their leathery serrated leaves stay deep green year-round, set against twisting reddish-brown bark that shreds with age. A cornerstone of Mediterranean scrublands, the dense canopy offers critical shelter while the late-ripening fruit provides a vital food reserve for overwintering birds and small mammals.

EvergreenFloweringMediterranean
Strawberry Tree reference1 / 7
(c) Duarte Frade, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Duarte Frade · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Song thrush
  • Wild boar
  • Blackcap
ThreatsSevere wildfires, land clearing, heavy browsing by feral goats
HabitatsMaquis, oak woodlands, rocky hillsides, coastal cliff scrub
Life span100–200 years
Classification
  1. OrderEricales
  2. FamilyEricaceae
  3. GenusArbutus
  4. SpeciesArbutus unedo
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Bark appreciation: Examine the shredding, cinnamon-colored bark on older trunks, which peels in rough fibrous strips.
  • Seasonal timing: Visit in late autumn or early winter to observe fresh flowers blooming right alongside ripe fruit.
  • Wildlife watching: Scan the branches in November to spot overwintering songbirds feeding among the ripe berry clusters.
Related species
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