Arbutus unedo Strawberry-tree

Arbutus unedo, Strawberry Tree, is a small, ericaceous evergreen tree or shrub which in the British and Irish Flora is only native to rocky woodland in southern Ireland. However it has been planted frquently in the milder, south-western parts of Britain where it occasionally becomes naturalised. However, it is a Mediterranean species which is unable to tolerate prolonged, cold winters in other parts of Britain. There are a few records of it in West Glamorgan from scattered locations along the south Gower coast where it has been planted. It will be interesting to see how it responds to a warming climate and the increasing trend towards milder winters.