Ancient Latin name.

Evergreen trees or shrubs. Bark mostly flaking, reddish-brown. Leaves alternate, entire or margin saw-toothed. Flowers urn-shaped, white, pink or greenish in terminal upright or drooping panicles; stamens 10; anthers with an extended point at one end. Fruit strawberry-like berry, smooth or warty.

Seed, cuttings, layers.

Berries of A. unedo are edible.

Leaves entire; flowers urn-shaped with a single appendage (awn) on each anther.

4 species may be seen at Malmsbury Botanic Gardens in Victoria.

About 15 species from the Mediterranean, S and W Europe, N and C America.

Distinctions between species are not clear-cut in this genus which requires revision – the key should be used with caution. Most established trees are A. unedo.

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Ericaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.