Arbutus unedo aka Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the strawberry tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the family Ericaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, including Ireland. The tree is recognized for its distinctive fruit, known as arbutus berries, which bear a resemblance to strawberries but are not closely related to true strawberries. It is also referred to as the Irish strawberry tree, cane apple, or Killarney strawberry tree. The strawberry tree is highly regarded in Italy and is recognized as the national tree due to its green leaves, white flowers, and red berries, reminiscent of the Italian flag. This large, slow-growing shrub features glossy, dark green leaves and reddish-brown, peeling bark. In autumn, it blooms with hanging clusters of small, waxy, urn-shaped flowers in pink and white hues. These flowers appear simultaneously with the spherical, red or yellow fruit from the previous year's flowers. The name "Arbutus unedo" is derived from the Latin phrase "unum edo," meaning "I eat one," possibly referring to the fact that the fruit is not particularly flavorful when consumed directly. The strawberry tree is also associated with the city of Madrid, where it is depicted on the coat of arms, showing a bear reaching for the fruit from a strawberry tree.