Arbutus andrachne L.

An evergreen tree. It grows 10 m tall. It can spread 6 m across. The bark is red-brown and peels in thin strips. The freshly exposed bark is orange-brown. The leaves are oval and 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. Sometimes they have teeth. They are glossy green above and paler underneath. They are smooth. The flowers are small and urn shaped. They are 6 mm long. They are green but white when they open. They are in upright clusters 10 cm long on the shoots. The fruit is a fairly smooth, rounded, orange-red berry. They are 1 cm across.

It is a temperate plant. It is native to SE Europe and SW Asia. It grows in woods, thickets and on rocky slopes. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for jam.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking and stratification.