The strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, is currently in flower, but is also starting to show its distinctive fruits.
Arbutus unedo is an evergreen shrub within the Ericaceae (heather) family. It is one of very few members of this family that we can grow here in Cambridge on our alkaline soils. It is a native if the Mediterranenan and of south west Ireland, and is well suited to our climate. The creamy-white flowers are pitcher-shaped and are produced in drooping panicles, while the fruits are considered to be strawberry-like, and are globose, with an orange base colouring speckled with wart-like, red protrusions.