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Arbutus unedo
Arbutus unedo, commonly called Strawberry Tree, Apple of Cain, or Cane Apple, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe north to western France and Ireland. Due to its presence in South West Ireland, it is also known as Irish strawberry tree, and Killarney strawberry tree.(Wikipedia). Spotted this flowering shrub in office building landscaping.
Office building landscaping, Emeryville, CA.
The fruit mainly serve as food for birds but in some countries they are used to make jam and liqueurs (such as the Portuguese medronho, a kind of strong brandy). Wikipedia
The fruit is edible, but described as "bland and mealy."
Looks better than it tastes!
Definitely Ericaceae...Arbutus....the fruit looks sooo much like a lychee, but the flowers are way wrong.
Spotted on Sep 29, 2011
Submitted on Oct 9, 2011
