Arbutus andrachne explained
Arbutus andrachne, commonly called the Greek strawberry tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.
The etymology of the species name corresponds to the Ancient Greek word, meaning "wild strawberry",[1] [2] and refers to the common name of the tree and to its fruits.
Description
Arbutus andrachne can reach a height of about 12 metres. The smooth bark is exfoliating during the summer, leaving a layer with a pistachio green colour, which changes gradually to an orange brown. The flowers bloom in spring and are white or yellowish green. Its fruits ripen in autumn, and when left to dry in a cool place, are eaten as sweet, chewy candy.
According to a research study done by Alzoubi, the A. andrachne fruit's antioxidants contain a variety of chemicals that have a defensive effect against memory impairment where the antioxidants normalize the long- and short-term memory impairment caused from sleep deprivation.[3] [4]
Horticulture
Hybrids
Garden history
Arbutus andrachne was reported by Peter Collinson as having flowered first in England in Dr John Fothergill's extensive botanical garden and greenhouses at Upton House, Essex (now West Ham Park), in 1765.[7]
In literature
"On leaving Bursa ... There was on the road a small tree bearing a fruit somewhat bigger than our largest cherries, and of the shape and taste of strawberries, but a little acid. It is pleasant to eat; but, if a great quantity be eaten, it mounts to the head, and intoxicates. It is ripe in November and December." Editor's footnote: "From the description, it seems to be the arbutus Andrachne."[8] The tree appears to exist in Dibbeen Forest Reserve in Jordan with its distinctive reddish bark that appears more red during and immediately after rain. Locals confirm that the fruits have narcotic-like effect. The fruits are reddish and sweet but taste more like figs.
Notes and References
- Book: Bailly, Anatole . Abrégé du dictionnaire grec français . 1981-01-01 . Hachette . 978-2010035289 . Paris . 461974285 .
- Web site: Greek-french dictionary online . Bailly . Anatole . www.tabularium.be . March 24, 2020.
- Arbutus andrachne L. Reverses Sleep Deprivation-Induced Memory Impairments in Rats . Molecular Neurobiology. 2017-01-18 . Alzoubi . Karem H. . Malkawi . Bayan S. . Khabour . Omar F. . El-Elimat . Tamam . Alali . Feras Q. . 55 . 2 . 1150–1156 . 10.1007/s12035-017-0387-8 . 28101814 . 3425930 .
- Bertsouklis. Konstantinos F.. Daskalakis. Ioannis. Biniari. Katerina. Papafotiou. Maria. 2021-02-15. Comparative study of polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity in fruits of Arbutus unedo, A. andrachne and their natural hybrid A.× andrachnoides. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. en. 49. 1. 12165. 10.15835/nbha49112165. 233932055 . 1842-4309. free.
- Book: Filippi, Olivier . 2007 . Pour un jardin sans arrosage (For a garden without irrigation) . Arles . Actes Sud . 80 . fr . 978-2-7427-6730-4.
- Bertsouklis. Konstantinos Fotios. Papafotiou. Maria. 2016-12-14. Morphometric and Molecular Analysis of the Three Arbutus Species of Greece. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. en. 44. 2. 423–430. 10.15835/nbha44210572. 1842-4309. free.
- Ann Leighton, American Gardens in the Eighteenth Century: 'For Use or Delight' , 1976:395; Leighton misidentifies it with Arbutus unedo; Georg Dionysius Ehret, "A description of the Andrachne" Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 57 (1767)
- Book: Thomas Wright . Early Travels in Palestine, comprising the narratives of Arculf, Willibald, Bernard, Saewulf, Sigurd, Benjamin of Tudela, de la Brocquière, Sir John Maundeville and Maundrel . 1848 . 333 . The travels of Bertrandon de la Brocquière.
