10KCS05OM25 — arbustus unedo

Oil on canvas, 116 x 89 cm, 2025

Arbustus unedo is a shrub native to the Mediterranean region and belongs to the heath family (Ericaceae). In autumn, it produces white bell-shaped flowers, while its red fruits, called arbutus berries, take a full year to ripen. As a result, the same plant simultaneously bears the flowers of the current year and the fruits of the previous one. Its foliage is evergreen, and its reddish-brown bark peels with age. The strawberry tree grows in dry, acidic or calcareous soils and is highly resistant to heat. It is commonly found in maquis, garrigue, and open woodlands.

Here shot outdoor in Le Bresquet in its common habitat with young specimens in the background.