Arbutus unedo
Mamkamla
Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the strawberry tree, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. Renowned for its distinctive red, bumpy fruits, it holds significant medicinal value. Historically, its leaves have been utilized in traditional remedies to treat urinary tract infections and support overall kidney health.
- Scientific name: Arbutus unedo
- Family: Ericaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Arbutus, specifically the species Arbutus unedo.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Arbutus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Arbutus unedo, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Polish, it is called chruścina jagodna, while in Basque, it is known as gurbitz. The French name for this species is Arbousier, which translates to Arboç in Occitan, and in Galician, it is called Érbedo.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | chruścina jagodna | Wikidata |
| eu | gurbitz | Wikidata |
| fr | Arbousier | Wikidata |
| oc | Arboç | Wikidata |
| gl | Érbedo | Wikidata |
| et | Harilik maasikapuu | Wikidata |
| de | Westlicher Erdbeerbaum | Wikidata |
| ja | イチゴノキ | Wikidata |
| sq | Mareja | Wikidata |
| sc | Olidone | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Arbutus unedo, exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the Mediterranean, the species is widely distributed throughout Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it thrives in the island territories of the Baleares and Corse. Finally, the plant is also commonly found growing within the mainland of France.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the strawberry tree, is a versatile medicinal species where the entire plant is often utilized for its therapeutic properties. The glossy, evergreen leaves are frequently employed in infusions and tinctures due to their astringent qualities. During its growing season, the plant produces clusters of small, wild berries that eventually mature into edible, sweet-tasting fruits. These fruits, while often used for culinary purposes, represent a key part of the plant's life cycle and overall botanical profile.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wild berries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| entire plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Arbutus unedo has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, chlorogenic acid, polyphenols, (+)-Catechin.
- Total chemicals
- 30
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arbutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Arbutus unedo has 13 reported activities identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaggregant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiseptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Arbutus unedo has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antidiarrheal, antiseptic.
- Total uses
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiarrheal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiseptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| astringent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |