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Strawberry tree / Planika
Arbutus unedo L.
45.0807, 13.6391
Field Notes
Description:
It is a small evergreen tree of the heather family. Shiny "leathery" leaves are due to similarities with the bay leaves used as a spices. Tannins from the leaves and bark used for tanning of the skin and helps with digestion disorders. All plant parts contain ethyl gallate, a substance strong antibiotic activity and it is considered to sterilize the kidneys in that way. Strawberry tree is a honey plant. It blooms in autumn and early winter, while the white bell-shaped flowers, gathered in clusters, and ripen fruits (maginja). These are the orange-red sweet berries are mealy inside and the surface is densely covered with small formations look like "nipples". Although the fruit is edible, larger amounts can cause dizziness and a state similar to drunkenness. Safe dosage is 5 berries a day for grown-up person or 1 berry a day for kids.
Habitat:
It grows in the Mediterranean and Western Europe, along the coast and islands.
Notes:
Latin name, unedo, is actually an old Roman name for sage, according to Pliny the Elder derived from unum edo tantum (I eat just one). Nevertheless, jam fruit is valued for the richness in vitamin C. Enjoying a larger quantity of mature fruit causes digestive disorders and the like drunkenness or dizziness, but in Dalmatia, these fruits are used for making brandy, wine or marmalade, and leaves for seasoning instead of the laurel. Alcoholic beverages are produced too like wine and spirits.
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