Arbutus ‘Marina’
Strawberry arbutus, Pacific madrone, madroño, madroña, bearberry
Strawberry arbutus is a hybrid two Arbutus species, both believed to be native to Europe, originating in the Mediterranean region. The cross is between Arbutus unedo and A. andrachne. This is one of several genetic examples in the low latitudes of Europe, known as Arbutus x andrachnoides.
Plants: The strawberry arbutus’ most arresting feature is its bright red-orange bark, which constantly peels away from the tree. These trees reach up to 90′ (27 m), but are more commonly half this size. A similar tree, the pacific madrone, is native to North America, but this hybrid is more robust and is chosen for urban plantings. The native species is sensitive to soil conditions, and is declining over its range.
These broadleaf evergreen trees reach 25–50′ (7.6–15 m). As the red bark peels, it leaves a greenish, satiny, silvery layer.
Leaves: Leathery, waxy, spirally arranged leaves are 2½–6 ⨉ 1½–3″ (7–15 ⨉ 4–8 cm).
Flowers: Loose panicles of whitish-pinkish flowers appear early in the summer. Flowers are urn-shaped, ¼″ (8 mm) in size.
Fruits: Fruits are bright orange-red, ½″ (1.3 cm) in diameter, with grainy surfaces. Each fruit has a stone that itself contains several seeds.
Habitats: Canyons, coastal dunes, streamsides and on mountain slopes.
Online References:
6/13/2007 · Waterfront near Ghirardelli factory, San Francisco, California 
4/6/2011 · Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland 
6/13/2007 · Waterfront near Ghirardelli factory, San Francisco, California 
4/6/2011 · Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) 
8/28/2007 · Valley of the Rogue State Park, Oregon 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Ericales | Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others |
| Family | Ericaceae | Heath or heather family |
| Genus | Arbutus | Latin name for this tree |
Arbutus ‘Marina’ description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.