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One of the many legends related to the eastern strawberry tree relates that when Absalom, King David’s rebellious son was killed after his hair was caught in the branches of a terebinth (another common native woodland species in Israel), a tree grew at the site, with a red “bloody” trunk. To this day eastern strawberry trees are always seen growing near terebinths in the woods. |
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In traditional medicine the strawberry tree is valued as an astringent and antiseptic herb and it makes a gargle that is helpful for sore and irritated throats. |
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Although not every one finds strawberry-tree fruits tasty, they are considered a very good source of health promoting compounds as vitamin C and dietary fiber. |
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Plants, just like other living beings, have to reproduce to survive and to do this, plants need to disperse their seeds. But plants are not animals – they cannot walk, run or fly, so some of them choose the next best alternative: they use animals as a means of dispersal. One of the most interesting methods is the one used by fleshy fruit (berries) such as the fruit of the eastern strawberry tree. The tasty fruit are eaten by birds and other animals, pass through their digestive tract, and are then excreted at another location. The journey through the animal’s digestive tract not only brings the seeds to new habitats, it also improves their germinating ability, a good deal for everyone – plants and animals alike. |
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The eastern strawberry tree stands out among the trees in Israel’s native woodland. It is the only member of its family in Israel and usually grows in more temperate climate. Like the eucalyptus tree, the bark of the strawberry tree peels off every year, probably a means of ridding the tree of various plant parasites. The fresh bark is greenish-brown and then becomes a deep red. |
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