The Strawberry Tree is a commonly planted, slow growing evergreen tree reaching 10 - 25' tall x about the same width. Usually multi-stemmed forming a spreading oval shape, often wider than tall. Perhaps less commonly planted anymore with the introduction of A. 'Marina'. Images here are from Stanford, and show it as a tree or as a shrub.
Leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, elliptical to oblong to obovate shaped, margins coarsely serrated and often somewhat wavy. They have a nice medium green color and are lighter green below. Leaves are stiff, typical of many plants from Mediterranean climates.
Flowers are white, urn-shaped in small pendulous clusters. Very attractive if looked at closely. Not that showy in mass from 30'.
Stems are bright red on young vigorous branches.
Bark reddish brown with thin peeling strips.
Misidentification: Can look sort of like a Rahpiolepis shrub of maybe an Escalonia that is pruned as a small tree.
Locations:
Misidentification: Can look sort of like a Rahpiolepis shrub of maybe an Escalonia that is pruned as a small tree.
Locations:
Aptos: Cabrillo College at the Children's Center
545 Monterey Dr.
