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Arbutus unedo L.

Villa del Casale, in Piazza Armerina (EN), features an old specimen of strawberry tree, approximately 150 years old. It is about 30.5-ft high, with a maximum trunk circumference of about 3.4 ft – a very rare size for this species; the trunk has grown straight and appears split into two primary branches, thick, flattened and curved, at some 3.6 ft from the ground. The foliage has the shape of an inverted cone.

Villa del Casale also features one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient Roman Sicily dating back to the imperial times; the noble abode was, in fact, built in the mid-1950s.

How to get there

The plant is located in the driveway, opposite the cubicles with the erotic and fruit scenes.

Botanical sheet

The strawberry tree, called “Mbriacotto”, “Mbriacuni” and “Mbriaculi” in Sicilian dialect, is a small plant typical of the Mediterranean scrub. It belongs to the Ericaceae family and it can be found in a large area that extends from the Iberian Peninsula to Africa and the Black Sea.
In Italy, it can be found in the wild, in all Regions but Lombardy, Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta.
It appears as a thickly branched evergreen shrub or as a small tree capable of growing up to 26 ft. The fruits ripen one year after the flowering. This plant, therefore, hosts both flowers and ripe fruits at the same time: that makes it particularly suitable for ornamental purposes also thanks to its three bright colours: red fruits, white flowers, and green leaves.
Its wood is an excellent type of fuel, commonly used in fireplaces and stoves.

The fruits are edible and can be consumed fresh or used to prepare preserves and liqueurs.
In Sardinia, strawberry tree honey is quite popular, featuring a dark colour and bitter taste.
Strawberry trees are widely used in the gardens as ornamental plants.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)