Greek strawberry tree
Maquis tree with red peeling bark; its white bell-shaped flowers in March–May give bees good nectar and pollen in coastal areas.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 3-10 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Greek strawberry tree is an evergreen tree growing in the maquis and Turkish red pine forests along the Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara coasts, easily recognised by its red-orange trunk, which peels in thin sheets. Its urn-shaped white flowers are borne in panicles; they are rich in nectar and attractive to bees, and the pollen contribution is moderate.
Flowering
It flowers in March–May, which distinguishes it from the autumn-flowering strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). It is one of the early shrub and tree sources contributing to spring build-up on the coast.
Honey and pollen
A separate honey from this species is not common; its nectar blends into spring maquis honey. A marked bitterness like that of strawberry tree honey has not been reported for this species.
Note for the beekeeper
Where the two species grow together, hybrids occur. In coastal maquis where it grows alongside strawberry tree, bees use Greek strawberry tree flowers in spring and strawberry tree flowers in autumn.