Arbutus andrachne

The Greek strawberry tree is an evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae family and is native to Mediterranean region and the Middle East. It can reach a height of about 12 m.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, oval, up to 5-10 cm long and 2.5-5 cm across, glossy dark green above, lighter below, glabrous, finely serrated on young leaves. In the wet coastal climate, leaves often discolour due to fungal infection.
• Flowers bloom in spring and cover the tree in panicles up to 10 cm wide, upright at the ends of shoots; flower corolla 6 mm long, is pitcher-shaped, dull-white.
• Green fruit is globose, smooth, 1.2 cm in diameter, developing over the summer, turning red by early winter; when left to dry, it can be eaten like a sweet, chewy candy.
• Bark is orange-red and is exfoliating (naturally peels away in thin sheets) in the summer, leaving a greenish layer when fresh.