Mamkamla

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Strawberry Tree
• Strawberry-Tree
• Killarney Strawberry Tree
• Irish strawberry-tree
• arbutus
• Western Strawberry-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Arbutus unedo var. croomii
• Arbutus unedo var. rubra
• Arbutus unedo var. salicifolia
• Arbutus unedo var. tangerina
• Arbutus unedo f. subcrenata
• Arbutus cassinifolia
• Arbutus laurifolia
• Arbutus unedo var. integerrima
• Arbutus intermedia
• Arbutus crispa
• Arbutus turbinata
• Arbutus unedo var. ellipsoidea
• Arbutus vulgaris
• Unedo oviformis
• Unedo edulis
• Unedo globosa
• Arbutus unedo var. alba
• Arbutus unedo var. plena
• Arbutus procumbens
• Arbutus nothocomaros
• Arbutus croomii
• Arbutus unedo var. crispa
• Arbutus unedo var. salicifolia
• Arbutus unedo f. rubra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Arbutus unedo is characterized by its ability to thrive across a specific altitudinal gradient, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 800 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 477 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to various environments, frequently occurring in anthropogenic settings such as gardens and along roadsides, as well as in its natural wild habitats.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

477 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

garden,roadsides

Life history

The life history of Arbutus unedo is characterized by its status as a long-lived perennial species, capable of reaching an impressive lifespan of approximately 500 years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on woody branches elevated above the ground, contributing to its robust structural presence in its natural habitat. Throughout its life cycle, it maintains an evergreen nature, ensuring that its foliage remains functional across various seasons. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and evergreen deciduousness allows the species to establish a stable and enduring ecological presence over many centuries.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Lifespan :

500

Morphology

The morphology of Arbutus unedo is characterized by a woody growth form that typically manifests as either a shrub or a tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of its stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 13.5 m, though it maintains a mean height of approximately 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13.5 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Arbutus unedo is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by its elliptic leaf form, which exhibits specific morphological dimensions optimized for its environment. The leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, with a mean width of 2.8 cm, fluctuating between a minimum width of 2 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. These dimensions result in a mean leaf size of approximately 15.626 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 81.97 cm²/g, a physiological indicator reflecting the leaf's resource allocation strategy and its relationship between leaf area and dry mass.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

15.626 cm²

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.8 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

81.97 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Arbutus unedo is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in April, though the timing can be variable across different months. The plant produces flowers arranged in a panicle inflorescence, featuring green blossoms that range in length from 0.7 cm to 1 cm. These flowers rely on biotic pollination, specifically through an insect pollination syndrome, to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as berries. These berries transition to a red color and possess a mean length of 1.645 cm and a mean width of 1.755 cm, with dimensions varying between 0.7 cm and 1 cm in width and up to 1 cm in length. The seeds contained within the fruit are relatively small, with a mean length of 3 mm, a mean volume of 3.7 mm³, and a mean mass of approximately 0.00336 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.0015 g to a maximum of 0.0116 g). Dispersal of these seeds is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are spread by animals, which aids in the plant's natural propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit colour :

red

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

1.645 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.755 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0116 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003363889 g

Seed mass min:

0.0015 g

Seed volume max:

3.7 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Arbutus unedo has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Fruit

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Arbutus unedo has 49 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, CHLOROGENIC ACID, arbutin, hydroquinone.

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Journal of pharmacopuncture
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry
2. Natural product research

arbutin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju

hydroquinone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju

polyphenols

1. Journal of pharmacopuncture
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

(+)-catechin

1. Food chemistry

1-Dotriacontanol

1. Dr. Duke

1-Triacontanol

1. Dr. Duke

15-Nonacosanol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Arbutus unedo has 211 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry
3. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Natural product research
5. Journal of pharmacopuncture

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry
3. Human & experimental toxicology
4. Journal of pharmacopuncture
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of pharmacopuncture
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antimicrobial

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Natural product research
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiseptic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry

Astringent

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Arbutus unedo has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antidiarrheal, antiseptic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations