Arbutus unedo - Corbezzolo

Native to the Mediterranean basin, widespread in the Mediterranean scrub and pine forests along the coasts. Evergreen shrub or small tree with a short trunk, rough reddish-brown bark, and a dense crown with twisted branches. The leaves are oval-shaped, glossy dark green, about 8-10 cm long. The flowers are white with pinkish shades, bell-shaped, and arranged in curved racemes. It blooms in summer and remains in flower throughout autumn. The fruits mature in 2 years, are round, 1-2 cm in diameter, covered by a red skin. It is resistant to wind, sea, and industrial pollution, and grows best in neutral to acidic soils.